What is meant by the notion of "smart territory"?

The thinker at Bois Sainte Anastasie in Yaoundé (January 2021)

A "smart territory" is a living area that is totally (re) thought out in the interest of its inhabitants, professionals who work for the common good, and local communities wishing to undertake substantial economic development. These places are (re) thought collectively and are centered on users and their uses. They are therefore attractive and open, sustainable and reasoned territories, pleasant to live in, and collaborative insofar as they make citizens an actor in their well-being. Digital is a great opportunity for these territories. It contributes to the modernization of their practices and allows all residents to benefit from innovative, more efficient and more accessible services. At the heart of "smart territories", there is also the question of the data that local authorities will have to manage. While they allow better knowledge and the emergence of new services, they are also a source of new risks in terms of cybercrime or the protection of personal data.