We know a lot about the digitalization of cities and the dynamics of digital public spaces already. Some things are good, some not so good. We certainly know that technology may help cities and communities achieve goals of sustainable, transparent and resilient coordination and planning. We also know that concerns about privacy, control and complexity abound. However, in working within this field it also becomes clear that a lot, perhpaps most, of the central issues are still poorly defined and explored. So, what are the central concepts, methods and merits by the somewhat mythical digital, or smart, city? Looking at ways to understand and create spaces with public and digital elements is a difficult but giving enterprise. This talk will discuss how we as researchers can approach this, without claiming to be all good or being excused of being all bad (or irrelevant).