Critical Perspectives on the Smart City: Efficiency Objectives vs Inclusion Ideals

ABSTRACT

Smart city rhetoric stresses both citizens’ well-being and urban efficiency; however, critical perspectives suggest a worsening of existing societal inequalities for less-productive citizens, posing implications for how urban planners should incorporate smart technology. We examine the perceptions of elderly residents regarding Singapore’s Smart Nation implementation in their communities. The elderly find that technological advancements deepen existing divides and suggest that true participation and social relationships are required for successful adoption of urban smart systems. We provide commentary on the tensions created between (1) productivity and efficiency as goals of the smart nation and (2) the inclusion and participation of older citizens in urban planning decisions.

KEYWORDS:

• Ageing
• digital divide
• elderly
• inclusion
• smart city
• urban technologies

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Nanyang Technological University endowment fund.

Notes on contributors

Arul Chib

Arul Chib is an associate professor at the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, and head of the Strategic Communication and Technology Department, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

Katrina Alvarez

Katrina Alvarez is a doctoral student at the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

Tatjana Todorovic

Tatjana Todorovic is a lecturer at The University of Western Australia.