The so-called "grand challenges" (e.g. climate change) and
multiple disruptions (e.g. digitization) provide for a
complex
and a fast changing environment of metropolitan areas as well as
different industries. At the same time, due to technological
progress in various fields as well as the necessity of a more
sustainable way of life, especially in the so-called developed
world, the implementation of smart city-concepts will require
significant investments. Against this background, in order to be
able to undertake these investments, it will be crucial to
understand how to tap financial markets.
Learning Unit 7.1 Financial Markets & Institutions |
Due to technological progress in various fields
as well as the necessity of a more sustainable way of life,
especially in the so-called developed world, the implementation
of smart city-concepts will require significant investments.
Against this background, in order to be able to undertake these
investments, it will be crucial to understand how to tap
financial markets. Students will have the ability to: • understand the relevance of financial markets and institution for finding adequate and innovative financing solutions for smart citites • comprehend how different types of crisis can provide shocks to the financial system and negatively affect funding of smart cities • choose from the adequate financing instruments from the different financial markets' segments • know which financial institution can provide which financing solutions and services to smart cities • understand how a changing regulatory framework for financial institutions might affect the financing possibilities for smart cities |
Learning Unit 7.2 Sustainable Finance |
The so-called "grand challenges" (e.g. climate change) and
multiple disruptions provide for a complex and a fast
changing environment of metropolitan areas as well as
different industries. At the same time research shows that–
if designed adequately smart cities can provide an ecosystem
to foster sustainable innovation in order to tackle these
various challenges. In addition, sustainable infrastructures
in areas like mobility, energy supply, etc. go along with
significant financing needs. Therefore, it will be of major
importance to tap sustainable investments – as one of the
fastest growing asset classes – in order to cover these
financing needs. |
Learning Unit 7.3 Infrastructure & Project Finance |
Smart citites will depend on sustainable and smart
infrastructures. These infrastructures will only be realized if
investors will provide the corresponding funding volumes. From
an investors' point of view the investments appraisal will be
the basis for the investment decision. This needs to take into
account the investments risk, return, liquidity and
sustainability dimensions. If the respective investment appears
to be favorable along these four dimensions founds are likely
to be provided. A broad variety of financing instruments are
available to provide the required funding. Students will have the ability to: • understand smart cities' needs for sustainable and smart infrastructures • comprehend the fundamentals and specific characteristics of infrastructure investments • apply investment appraisals and capital budgeting methods with infrastructure projects in smart cities • differentiate between the different concepts and instruments for financing infrastructure projects in smart cities • conduct financial (statement) analysis and calculate financial ratios for infrastructure projects and understand the relevance of ratings • apply risk management instruments to infrastructure projects in smart cities |
Learning Unit 7.4 Digitalization, Financial Innovation & Financial Tech. |
Digitization and artificial intelligence lead to
significant disruptions not only in the financial industry but
also in other areas of society and life. With respect to smart
cities this background provides for risks as well as for
opportunities (e.g. new products and business models based on
technological and social innovations). It is therefore crucial
to be able to identify these risks and opportunities, to
understand their respective implications and to find adequate
means to manage them proactively. Students will have the ability to: • know why smart cities serve as ecosystems for innovation • understand how technological disruptions like digitization and artificial intelligence provide for significant challenges as well as for major opportunities for smart cities • comprehend in what why digitization and artificial intelligence and related technologies (e.g. blockchain) foster financial innovation • understand in what way innovative FinTechs and InsurTechs are challengers for traditional financial institutions and provide new financing solutions to smart cities and their stakeholders • comprehend why – driven by information technology – different areas of life/society/economy and industries successively converge (e.g. payments with energy and/or mobility services) and what the related implications are |