Abstract
The rise of smart cities globally highlights the potential of technology to improve urban
efficiency and sustainability. However, existing smart city frameworks often prioritise
technological and economic progress while overlooking deep-rooted social inequalities,
particularly in South Africa. This study identifies a critical gap: the absence of a framework
that integrates digital transformation with restorative social justice to address historical
injustices. By bridging this gap, the research develops a framework which ensures that smart
city initiatives actively contribute to social equity, inclusive development, and access to
opportunities. In South Africa, where inequality is deeply rooted in apartheid-era spatial
planning, digital transformation presents opportunities to advance social justice while
mitigating risks such as exclusion and the neglect of digital ethics. This study examines how
digitalisation can accelerate restorative justice in metropolitan cities and whether it could
inadvertently create new forms of inequality. It proposes a framework to guide smart city
development, ensuring digital transformation benefits all communities equitably. The study
employed a qualitative methodology involving 24 participants from diverse professional
backgrounds, including academia, urban city planning, strategy and governance, smart city
advisory, integrated development planning, digital transformation, and community
engagement. A key contribution of this research is its novel approach to conceptualising
restorative social justice in digital transformation, specifically in the context of smart city
implementation in South Africa. Unlike existing studies that focus on smart cities as tools for
efficiency, this research centres on addressing socio-economic disparities through digital
inclusion. To close this gap, the study provides a theoretical framework that offers a structured
model to guide smart city development through a social justice lens while also generating
empirical insights that present new evidence on the intersection of digital transformation,
governance, and inequality in South Africa. The study’s findings highlight the complex
interplay of economic, political, and cultural dynamics that continue to shape South African
metropolitan cities, with persistent spatial and socio-economic inequalities. Human and social
factors such as affordability, accessibility, and community-driven initiatives were found to
outweigh technological determinants in urban transformation. Social movements, supported by
digital tools, play a critical role in advocating for urban justice but require systemic support to
sustain impact. Governance challenges, including resource misallocation and inefficiencies,
further limit the success of smart city initiatives. The study concludes that smart city initiatives
in South Africa must prioritise equity by investing in infrastructure, affordable housing, and
iv
digital inclusion to bridge historical divides. Human-centric approaches are essential, ensuring
accessibility, affordability, and tangible benefits for marginalised communities. Transparent
governance, participatory decision-making, and equitable resource distribution are necessary
to overcome systemic challenges. A major outcome of this study is the development of a
transformative framework that integrates digital transformation with restorative social justice,
ensuring that smart cities become vehicles for meaningful and inclusive development rather
than deepening existing inequalities. The study recommends a holistic approach, including
robust governance frameworks, sustainable funding models, targeted digital infrastructure
investments, and active community engagement. Economic empowerment must be prioritised
through entrepreneurship, job creation, and digital skills development. Sustainability should be
central, aligning smart city strategies with global development goals. Finally, continuous
monitoring and evaluation will be key to ensuring long-term impact and inclusivity. As a
monograph, this study represents the first comprehensive academic work integrating
restorative social justice into smart city development. Additionally, one research paper has been
published in Local Government Research and Innovation, an open-access journal by AOSIS,
titled " Technology’s dual role in smart cities and social equality: A systematic literature"; and
the second paper has been published in Environment & Urbanisation a SAGE Journal, titled
"Barriers to Restorative Social Justice in South African Smart Cities: Urban Segregation,
Governance, and Resource Distribution”; and the third paper has been submitted for publishing
to Technological Forecasting and Social Change, an Elsevier journal. titled “Developing a
Social Justice-Centered Smart City Framework for Equitable Urban Development in South
African Cities. These contributions reinforce the study’s significance in shaping equitable
smart city development.