Abstract
Urban infrastructure management has become a pressing challenge in rapidly growing cities, particularly in developing countries such as South Africa. The City of Johannesburg, marked by urban decay and inadequate building maintenance, reflects the limitations of traditional maintenance practices in addressing the needs of aging infrastructure amid rapid urbanisation. Within this context, smart building technologies, particularly Internet of Things (IoT) devices, sensors, and data analytics, offer a transformative opportunity to improve maintenance processes, ensure safety, and enhance sustainability.
Despite their potential, the integration of IoT-driven solutions into Johannesburg’s civil infrastructure remains limited, leaving a gap in understanding how these technologies can enhance efficiency and reduce operational costs. This study addresses this gap by investigating the viability and effectiveness of IoT-based maintenance systems in Johannesburg. The research problem is therefore framed around the inefficiencies and high costs of conventional maintenance practices, which undermine the city’s infrastructure sustainability.
To address this problem, the study employed a quantitative research approach, using descriptive and causal designs. Structured surveys were conducted among key stakeholders, including municipal officials, property managers, IoT experts, technicians, and urban planners. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics in the form of tabulations, frequencies and mean to observe the configuration of the sample. Factor analysis and correlations analysis were used to analyse the enhancing efficiency and reducing operational costs through IoT-driven maintenance solutions for urban infrastructure. The study was guided by theoretical frameworks, which provided multidimensional insights into adoption behaviours and economic implications.
The results demonstrate that IoT-enabled maintenance solutions significantly improve efficiency, optimise energy use, and reduce operational costs while enhancing the sustainability of civil infrastructure. Moreover, the study highlights the strategic benefits of integrating IoT technologies into existing maintenance workflows, including improved risk detection, enhanced safety, and long-term financial savings. These insights hold practical implications for urban managers, and infrastructure stakeholders, offering evidence-based strategies for modernising maintenance practices and supporting sustainable urban development.