Prioritizing Inclusion in Urban Development

Abstract

A growing number of smart city initiatives have been launched over the last decade, often using emerging technologies and data to tackle complex urban challenges. While existing literature acknowledges the potential benefits of smart cities, such as the growth of the economy and improved city operations, their inclusivity has received little research. Without appropriate strategies and indicators that measure, and support inclusion, minorities and underrepresented populations may experience social and digital exclusion. Therefore, this paper aims to review and synthesize the research on inclusivity in smart cities. My research questions are: (1) why is it vital to measure the effectiveness of inclusivity in a smart city? and (2) how do we measure and ensure that cities are being built with inclusion in mind? The methodology is an investigation into the models, frameworks, and tools that are used by current scholars and practitioners. This research is critical to build cities that can fulfill the physical, economic, cultural, and social needs of every citizen. Cities that embrace, welcome, and encourage all members of our communities to interact, thrive and prosper.