Inclusive Smart Cities

This domain rest on the premise that cities cannot be smart if they are not inclusive. The literature on smart cities rarely uses words like inclusion, and when it does, it frequently takes a theoretical and limited approach. People must be at the center of the rising of Smart Cities (Naphade et al. 2001), however, literature presents the citizens’ empowerment as one of the challenges of Smart Cities and research opportunities (Khatoun & Zeadally, 2016; Santana, et al, 2017). The essential element for successful outcomes of smart city developments is to start from people by focusing on citizen needs, embracing citizen-centric design, and searching for an integral quality of life for all.

Technology can offer new creative solutions, but it should always remain a means to an end at the service of citizens. Under this domain, the chair undertakes to produce research output necessary to prepare cities with the capacity to provide opportunities for all, with equal access to public services and space, and create the resources necessary to equip cities with the ability to offer opportunities to everyone. Hence, the Inclusive Smart City concept is a progressive effort to address the issue of inequalities, in line with the South African Smart Cities Framework.