Public Relations in Smart Cities and Promoting Health and Social welfare

Smart cities utilize technology to enhance the quality of life for their residents. This technology can be applied in various areas, including transportation, energy, safety, health, and the environment. Public relations in these cities play a crucial role in planning, implementing, and evaluating programs that emphasize urban intelligence as a means to promote societal health and well-being. This article is based on a qualitative study, involving interviews with individuals knowledgeable in the fields of smart cities, public relations, and social health. Interviewees represented a diverse range of backgrounds, including government, industry, and academia. The findings of this study demonstrate a close relationship between smart cities, public relations, and social health. Smart cities can contribute to improving social health by enhancing citizen participation, reducing crime rates, and improving environmental quality, while public relations can aid in promoting smart cities and raising awareness about their benefits. Based on the findings of this study, we recommend that governments and private organizations invest more in smart cities and leverage the expertise of public relations professionals to promote initiatives and policies that contribute to social health in smart cities, while also engaging citizens in the planning and implementation of smart city projects.