Open Innovation Strategies, Green Policies, and Action Plans for Sustainable Citie - Challenges, Opportunities, and Approaches

Planning for smart and sustainable cities is vital since the world is currently witnessing a rapid increase in urban population. Cities globally are encountering colossal challenges in terms of high energy use, transport and traffic congestions resulting in high GHG emissions in addition to huge resources such as water and materials, and high level of air pollution especially in megacities. Cities are also exposed to urban heat islands effect and climate change impacts. Such huge increase puts pressure on cities’ infrastructures that are not resilient, beside all these defies put pressure on local governments and municipalities in planning and managing cities. Therefore, reducing energy use, mitigating CO2 emissions, and improving air quality utilising open innovation, green design strategies and policies (urban framing innovation and technologies and green facades), as an adaptive tools for cities and urban areas are essential planning to achieve sustainability and livability in mega cities, yet mitigate and adapt to climate change. This paper presents strategies and policies needed for developing sustainable cities. It also highlights the major challenges facing cities globally and the mean to support local governments in meeting these challenges to bring about smart and sustainable cities. In addition, it highlights policies and tools for greening cities using opportunities in terms of city innovation and open innovation models. Smart and green strategies that can drive cities solve such challenges by using energy efficiency tools and mobilising stakeholders, are reviewed and presented. This work depicts cities’ strategies and policies related to sustainable energy, urban farming, and green facades. Strategies, policies and action plans that drive green cities to lessen climate change risks are reviewed. Actions and stakeholders’ mobilization needed for liveable and smart urban areas for climate change adaptation are discussed. Adaptive design, green facades and passive-based solutions to ensure city resilience are also presented and discussed.