Abstract
The concept of urban sustainability has been a buzz word for some time. This concept started
to gain traction and momentum since the Brundtland Commission. Different scholars have
been studying cities intending to understand the different dimensions/pillars of sustainability
within the urban regional and town planning, management, and development discipline/s.
However, in the last ten years, there has been a dramatic shift in the focus of research on
urban sustainability. It can be argued that the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution has
much to do with this shift. In the urban and regional development space, there is growing
interest in research on concepts such as “smart-sustainability”, “modern smart cities”, “smartgovernance”,
and “post-pandemic cities”. More than ever before, cities globally, are deploying
digital technologies. However, questions are being asked about whether the pervasive
deployment of digital technologies by cities is enhancing or compromising urban sustainability
imperatives, from social, economic, institutional, and spatial justice perspectives.
Access to data is one of the key enablers in a digital economy. In this regard, most cities
across the world have devised programmes to enable communities to access data freely, or
partially. The free municipal Wi-Fi initiatives are one of the key flagship programmes
introduced by cities in this regard. All eight metropolitan municipalities in South Africa currently
have free Wi-Fi programmes. About ten years ago, in 2013, the City of Tshwane was one of
the first cities in South Africa to launch a free Wi-Fi programme. However, a key research
question is whether, and/or to what extent are these initiatives enhancing urban sustainability
in cities. Urban sustainability in this study focuses on spatial and socio-economic sustainability
imperatives.
This research adopted pragmatism, interpretivist, and post-positivist research philosophies.
Pragmatism is used to study and understand practical issues and/or realities in cities.
Pragmatism assists with understanding the meaning of the lived experiences of individuals
related to a particular phenomenon or concept. This study used a pragmatist research
approach to understand timely real-life situations and lived experiences of free Wi-Fi users
and operators of local SMMEs in a case study context.
An interpretivist philosophy was used by the researcher through conducting interviews so that
the interpretation and understanding of what is heard from the interviews are recorded. This
philosophy assisted the researcher in doing qualitative analysis and gaining some in-depth
understanding of a phenomenon in particular social contexts. Through this philosophy, this
study appreciated the fact that humans are different and the context of different social realities
is relevant for interpreting research outcomes, therefore, allowing richness in the gathering
and analysis of insights gathered.
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Key local government stakeholders and experts were interviewed in this regard. The
interpretation of findings of the Geographic Information System (GIS) maps assisted the
researcher in formulating views about whether the spatial efficiency allocation of free Wi-Fi
sites also followed an interpretivist approach. So, an inductive reasoning of findings is
presented, rather than a deductive approach. In addition, a post-positivist paradigm was used
as a flexible perspective for the researcher to use multiple research tools in line with the
objectives of the study.
A mixed-method approach combining quantitative, qualitative, and spatial analysis
approaches was used to gather data in this study. A probability sampling strategy was used
for the online surveys. Participating residents logged into the Web-based Survey tool at their
own convenient time and responded to questions electronically. The simple random sampling
design remains one of the easiest methods to extract research samples from larger
populations in urban settings with regards to stakeholders and independent experts, a
purposive/deliberate sampling strategy was used.
Secondary data was gathered through visual data, maps, document reviews, literature
reviews, and photographic data. The researcher reviewed academic literature in the form of
books, research papers, and articles. A critical analysis of relevant theories and empirical
literature on how cities in developed economies, developing economies as well and
transitional economies are doing as far as designing free Wi-Fi strategies is concerned. In this
regard, a review of academic literature focused on case studies on the use of municipal digital
technologies in countries, such as Argentina, Croatia, Australia, the Dominican Republic, and
the United States of America. There was also a focused review of literature covering Latin
American/Transitional and Newly Industrialized economies such as Malaysia, Indonesia,
Mexico, Korea, and Cuba. In the case of Africa, literature on case studies involving Nigeria,
Egypt, Morocco, and Kenya were also reviewed. All these were analysed as part of the
academic literature review.
Another important part of the secondary data focused on a review of various strategic
documents such as policies, White Papers, Regulations and Acts of Parliament ad various
legislation. The researcher also looked at the free Wi-Fi strategic documents/reports of all
eight (8) metropolitan cities in South Africa: Tshwane, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni,
Nelson Mandala Bay, eThekwini, and Buffalo City. Since this study uses the City of Tshwane,
closer (detailed) attention was paid to the reports of the City of Tshwane.
As far as primary data is concerned, data were collected through different strategies, namely,
online surveys, questionnaires, and expert interviews. First, a total of 150 free Wi-Fi users
from Soshanguve (50), Mamelodi (50), and Pretoria CBD (50) participated in an online (webv
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based) survey, whose object was to gather their lived experiences and views about the extent
to which the Tshwane free Wi-Fi is enhancing social sustainability in Tshwane. Secondly, a
total of 110 local SMMEs from Soshanguve (38), Mamelodi (37), and Pretoria CBD (36)
participated in an online (web-based) survey, whose object was to gather their lived
experiences and views about the extent to which the Tshwane free Wi-Fi is enhancing the
economic sustainability of the SMMEs in Tshwane. The sampling of these participants was
done through a random sampling method.
Thirdly, a questionnaire was administered to key local government and civil society
stakeholders, namely, (1) the South African Local Government Association (Salga), (2) the
South African Cities Network (SACN), (3) the South African Council for Planners (SACPLAN),
(4) the National Treasury, (5) the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), (6) the
Financial and Fiscal Commission (FFC), and (7) the City of Tshwane. These respondents
were also sampled through a purposive sampling method. The objective of this questionnaire
was to gather the views of these stakeholders about the extent to which the Tshwane free Wi-
Fi is enhancing social, economic, and spatial sustainability in South African cities in general.
Fourthly, two independent experts were interviewed (in-depth) to get additional insightful views
about the extent to which the Tshwane free Wi-Fi is enhancing social, economic, and spatial
sustainability in South African cities in general. The data from all these sources were analysed
using a thematic content analysis method.
The visual, photographic, and spatial data were collected and analysed for the researcher to
triangulate the views of the 150 free users, 110 local SMMEs, seven stakeholders, and two
independent experts, regarding the extent to which the City of Tshwane free Wi-Fi is
enhancing principles of urban sustainability. The data were further triangulated by using indepth
Geographic Information System (GIS)/Geospatial analysis so that data was collected to
assess the extent to which the geographical positioning of the free Wi-Fi locational points in
all the seven (Tshwane administrative regions enhances the spatial planning principles
espoused by the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA) and the
Integrated Urban Development Framework (IUDF). The researcher also did some in-depth
GIS analysis of geospatial data, zooming specifically into three townships: Mamelodi,
Soshanguve, and Pretoria Central Business District (CBD).
The study presents the findings according to the five objectives of the study, namely, the extent
to which residents, local SMMEs, stakeholders, and experts perceive the deployment of the
free municipal Wi-Fi digital technology (in the City of Tshwane) enhance urban sustainability
imperatives from social, economic and spatial justice (benefits) perspectives.
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The study started by analytically reviewing an array of policies and legislation to assess the
extent to which these sets of policies and laws create an enabling environment for
municipalities to develop sustainable digital programmes. In this regard, the study found that
there is no single, integrated policy/legislative framework guiding supporting South African
municipalities on how to go about implementing digital innovative programmes in ways that
are financially sound and sustainable. Pertinent recommendations are made in this regard.
On spatial sustainability, based on the perspectives and views of the respondents and
participants, the study concludes that the Tshwane free Wi-Fi is making some positive
contributions in terms of enhancing spatial justice (benefits) in the City of Tshwane. This
conclusion is based on the finding that a majority (92%) of the Tshwane free Wi-Fi users who
participated in the survey believe that the free Wi-Fi is making some positive impact on
enhancing spatial justice. The independent experts equally concur and believe that free Wi-Fi
does make much contribution (60% plus) to advance spatial justice in South African cities.
From the perspective of the GIS maps analysis, there is a possibility of cross boarder usage
by residents between wards and between regions. Another finding from the GIS analysis is
that it is not clear if the City of Tshwane uses an objective tool/criterion for allocating free Wi-
Fi sites per region and/or area.
On social sustainability, the study drew insights from the lived experiences of the free Wi-Fi
users themselves and found that there is an overwhelming level of positivity concerning the
positive impact and benefits of the Tshwane free Wi-Fi users on the lives of ordinary residents
in Tshwane. This is demonstrated by the fact that the views of the respondents regarding the
contribution of free Wi-Fi to social sustainability are high. However, the study highlights several
challenges faced by South African municipalities in implementing sustainable free Wi-Fi
programmes. The challenges include poor quality of free Wi-Fi network, vandalism, and theft
of free Wi-Fi infrastructure, including unstable energy and electricity power supply and/or
availability, owing to, among others, load shedding problems, etc. Left unattended and
unresolved, these challenges will undermine the potential of the free Wi-Fi programmes to
bring much-needed positive socio-economic impact for communities and cities, in line with
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG s)11 imperatives.
On economic sustainability, the study articulates the findings from two angles. The first angle
deals with individual free W-Fi users, and the second one deals with SMMEs. As far as the
individual free Wi-Fi users are concerned, this study found that the Tshwane free Wi-Fi is
making some positive contribution in terms of enhancing their access to some economic
opportunities. A majority (79%) of the Tshwane free Wi-Fi users either strongly agree or agree
that the Tshwane Free Wi-Fi is helpful to residents to access economic opportunities such as
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job applications and business transactions. Similarly, some of the key local government
stakeholders and independent experts equally concur that free Wi-Fi in South African cities is
making an immense contribution (60% plus) to advance access to economic opportunities in
South African cities. This finding corroborates the views of other scholars who posit that there
is a relationship between access to data and access to economic opportunities.
With regard to the second angle, the study found that over 90% of local SMMEs do need data;
and that over 87% of these local SMMEs are aware of the existence of the Tshwane free
municipal Wi-Fi programme. The study also found that more than 40% of the local SMMEs
are not aware/sure if there are Tshwane free Wi-Fi sites near them. Significantly, the study
found that there are very few local SMMEs who believe that the Tshwane free Wi-Fi is bringing
high impact (benefits) in terms of assisting the small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs)
to realise higher revenues, profits, sales, marketing, as well as assisting them to access
financial opportunities and business education information.
The study also finds that in the main, there are three key main challenges affecting the usage
of Tshwane free Wi-Fi by local business operators. These include poor network, the location
of free Wi-Fi sites, and the reliability of the free Wi-Fi network. These challenges are similar to
those raised by individual free Wi-Fi users. However, these findings do not corroborate the
views of scholars such Kania, et al., (2021), who posit that free Wi-Fi interventions can be
helpful to local entrepreneurs to promote their products to the wider market. The findings also
do not align with the findings of Agbawe (2018) and Ojeleye, et al. (2018), who found that
access to data offers opportunities for wealth creation in the world of self-employment and
entrepreneurship.
Finally, the study concludes by presenting an Integrated Sustainable Urban Digital
Technologies Framework (ISUDTF). This framework model has seven pillars, the financial
pillar, social relevance legitimacy and digital maturity pillar, Local Economic Development
pillar, Institutional Development pillar, Spatial Justice pillar, Cybersecurity Management pillar,
and the Environment and Health pillar. The financial sustainability pillar seeks to ensure that
urban digital technologies are financially affordable by municipalities because investing in
digital technologies can be very costly to municipalities. There are various contextual factors
at play including budgets, revenue sources, affordability of residents, and the ability of
municipalities to embark on crowdfunding and partnerships with other stakeholders, etc.
The social relevance, legitimacy, and digital maturity pillar seeks to ensure that urban digital
technologies are socially relevant – otherwise, they would become white elephants. Social
relevance means that there must be a real social need/s that digital technology is meant to
address. The Local Economic Development pillars seek to ensure that urban digital
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technologies contribute to local economic development. Economic justice is about access to
opportunities that better the economic and/or financial position of people. Economic justice is
also about gaining economic assets and building equity.
The spatial justice pillar deals with redressing unjust spatial injustices. This model postulates
that to ensure that they are sustainable, urban digital technologies must actively promote
principles of spatial inclusivity, equity, justice, efficiency, and resilience. The main argument is
that when municipalities invest in smart digital platforms and/or technologies, they must ensure
that such investments will have the effect of constructing inclusive cities and communities.
This is in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11. So, municipalities should be
careful to employ digital technologies and innovations that entrench and reinforce apartheid
spatial injustices. Institutional pillars seek to ensure that urban digital technologies are
anchored on robust governance and support infrastructure. Municipalities need to understand
the Information Communications Technologies (ICT) policies, regulations, and laws much
more if they want to invest in smart digital technologies that promote urban sustainability.
The cybersecurity management pillar seeks to ensure that urban digital technologies have a
strong integrated cybersecurity management system. Municipalities should not be oblivious to
the fact that digitisation efforts open up organisations to several cybersecurity risks and/or
threats. The environment and health pillar argues that the use of digital technologies must not
compromise the ecological environment. So, this brings in the environmental pillar of
sustainability. Pervasive Internet of Things (IoT) and computing can pose negative health
consequences to human beings; and to the natural environment too. So, there is a need for
municipalities to be open and honest about the ecological consequences of the digital
technologies they introduce. The use of digital technologies must not compromise the health
of people.
This integrated conceptual model will assist policy makers, local government practitioners,
stakeholders such as the Salga, SACN, SACPLAN, the National Treasury, DBSA, the FFC,
and other cities in South Africa to develop and implement sustainable digital programmes,
which promote social justice, economic justice, and spatial equity and justice.
KEY WORDS AND PHRASES
City of Tshwane, internet access, free Wi-Fi, free data, urban sustainability, the right to the
city, economic justice, social justice, social sustainability, economic sustainability, spatial
justice, spatial sustainability, Information Communications Technologies.