World Heritage meets Smart City in an Urban-Educational Hackathon in Rauma

A hackathon can serve as an effective innovation contest method for integrating cultural heritage with modern urban development, particularly in UNESCO World Heritage cities. This study demonstrates that dual-focused (urban and educational) hackathons, when designed with clear objectives and collaborative partnerships—such as those involving higher education institutions and local entrepreneur associations—can produce tangible outputs while addressing both academic and public sector needs. The research highlights the importance of intentional design in achieving goals, a factor often overlooked in descriptive hackathon studies. Through a case study in Rauma, Finland—a city aiming to balance its historic Old Town with smart city initiatives—the study provides insights into the process and outcomes of such events, contributing valuable knowledge for both researchers and policymakers.

Suominen, A. H., Halvari, S., & Jussila, J. (2019). World Heritage meets Smart City in an Urban-Educational Hackathon in Rauma. Technology Innovation Management Review, 9(9), 44–53. https://doi.org/10.22215/timreview/1268