A Smart City at the service of sustainability?
Authors: Johann Recordon, Augustin Fragnière, Nelly Niwa
In this article, we address the issue of the Smart City and its potential for the sustainability of cities. Through a review of the specialised literature, we identify three opportunities: an increase in efficiency and dematerialisation, a profound change in the discussions around the city, as well as the proposal of an alternative governance of the city. Six main sources of risk, linked to the Smart City concept, are also identified: technological terminism, socio-technical lock-in, the rebound effect, the socio-environmental impacts engendered by the production of ICTs, a promotion of economic growth, and finally the de-politicisation of urban governance.
Based on Kate Raworth's Doughnut model, we then propose to broaden the scope of the study and the objectives of the Smart City beyond; energy efficiency, arguing that strong sustainability implies a profound change in the way our societies operate. On this basis, we question the concept of the Smart City in terms of..: 1) its capacity to act as a vehicle for a genuine citizens' movement and a vision for transforming the city and its economic fabric; 2) its likelihood of success, once such a vision and the means of transition have been put in place;Once such a vision and the methods of transition have been politically defined, it will be possible to contribute effectively to their pursuit and, by the same token, to the reduction of environmental impacts and the enhancement of social well-being.
This approach leads us to conclude that Smart City initiatives should be viewed with caution, as they are often poorly defined, whether in terms of ecological sustainability or social equity. In addition, it is vital to question the way in which technology is used, so that it is not mobilised as a tool by default or an end in itself, but serves the general objective of a profound transformation of society.
Publication date: 26 September 2022
Book source: Paul, Eva and Demierre, Pablo (Eds). Smart at all costs? Défis de la numérisation au temps de la Covid-19. Lausanne, Fondation Jean Monnet pour l’Europe, Collection débats et documents, number 26, September 2022.
