: Evaluating Approaches for Building a Smart City in Durban, South Africa: A Study Conducted through the Smart Environment Principle
Simthandile Ngcobo, is a Master of Town and Regional Planning candidate at the University of KwaZulu Natal. Ngcobo’s research explores how smart city approaches, utilizing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and the Internet of Things (IoT), can improve sustainability by monitoring and managing infrastructure and natural resources. The study focuses on the eThekwini Municipality in Durban, which is a coastal city as well as a major industrial hub for the country. It aims to identify smart environment principles to mitigate environmental challenges, promote economic stability, and enhance quality of life for all residents. Durban faces environmental issues exacerbating climate change and global warming, including rising temperatures, sea levels, and inconsistent rainfall patterns leading to droughts and floods. These issues negatively impact quality of life, infrastructure, and service delivery.
