Abstract
The study focused on the implementation of the City of Johannesburg’s Smart City Strategy. The aim was to investigate the implications that social equity could have on the implementation of the strategy. A smart city uses big data, digital platforms, and advanced technology to deliver services efficiently and effectively. The smart city concept is currently a prominent concept and is prioritised by governments and cities around the world. In South Africa the City of Johannesburg has, since 2014, approved a strategy and a unit focusing on transforming the city into a smart city. However, the city currently consists of areas that do not benefit from government services equitably, thus the purpose of this research is to examine the extent in which social equity will influence the City of Johannesburg’s initiatives to achieve the transformation into an inclusive smart city?
The researcher chose a qualitative approach, utilising interviews and a literature review as data collection methods. The study provided a background, current state, and an insight into the digital connectivity of the City of Johannesburg. Based on the research results, the city provides desirable smart city content, however; the infrastructure to inclusively achieve set goals is lacking. For instance, the Smart City Office stated that one of the benefits of Johannesburg transforming into a smart city would be ‘cutting queues’ by delivering city services online. While this would be one of the desired improvements to the current system it would increase the existing digital divide and disrupt the equitable distribution of services.
Given the above, the study provided recommendations to prepare the city by providing the correct infrastructure for all citizens at different levels to access smart city benefits. It also highlights how important it is to prepare the citizens by providing them with an enabling environment to afford digital resources. The study concluded that not equipping them with digital literacy ahead of building a smart city will result in a smart city that citizens cannot utilise.
Keywords: smart city, social equity, digital divide, digital resources, inclusion.