Smart city initiatives are urban strategies aimed at leveraging technology, whereas open data platforms are a crucial component of any efforts to optimise cities through the use of technology. The non-profit association Smart Regio Basel requested insights into the principles of open data platforms in a smart city context, with a focus on exploring how and why businesses might contribute to such a platform. Thus, the following research question was pursued: How to conceptualise open data and smart city as an ecosystem and how to incorporate companies as data providers within such a framework?

The research question was approached in three steps. Firstly, a literature review was carried out in order to establish the conceptual framework that demonstrates the relationship between open data and smart city. Next, by conducting semi-structured interviews with private organisations and experts, primary qualitative data were collected and evaluated to validate the conceptualisation and to determine incentives as well as barriers for the participation in an open data ecosystem. Finally, the combined findings were translated into a master synthesis that visualises the proposed solution.

The thesis suggests that, compared to the public sector, the baseline for businesses to participate in an open data initiative changes significantly due to the competitive environment in which the private sector operates. With regards to data provision, barriers exceed opportunities, as companies do not yet have the mindset that data might be more valuable when shared as opposed when kept in silos. Therefore, this study proposes an approach of first establishing a high-value use case and then inviting specific companies to join. The presented findings have implications for understanding the issue from an ecosystem perspective as well as the private sector’s position alongside the resistance that characterises the discussion. Also, the study helps understand that the government as a trusted authority is the centrepiece of such a framework and bears the responsibility to leverage open data opportunities effectively to advance smart urban developments. Hence, it has to assume an active role in launching initiatives that sensitise key actors and, in the best case, immerse them in such a venture. In the case of businesses, proposing use cases might be the key component to join forces.