Key Takeaways

• Community involvement is essential for effectively integrating technology in smart cities.
• Residents of Westbury prioritize safety, sustainability, and cultural expression in their technological aspirations.
• Successful smart city initiatives worldwide demonstrate that co-creation leads to more inclusive urban planning and development.

Reimagining Smart Cities with Community Input

Rapid urbanization in African cities presents both opportunities and challenges. The integration of technology in urban planning is crucial for creating cities that are not only smart but also fair and inclusive. A smart city enhances daily life through efficient services powered by digital tools, yet without community input, these technologies risk being ineffective or alienating.

Research centered around Westbury, a working-class neighborhood in Johannesburg, illustrates this point. Initially designed for Coloured residents under apartheid, Westbury faces challenges including high unemployment and violence, which persist today. Despite these issues, the community displays resilience and cultural pride.

Collaborating with Terence Fenn from the University of Johannesburg, a participatory method called Participatory Futures was employed, engaging 30 residents to envision their future neighborhood. This approach encouraged residents to articulate their needs and aspirations through workshops where they mapped their community and shared stories.

The findings reveal a strong desire for local control over technology. Safety emerged as a primary concern, with participants favoring smart surveillance systems only if managed locally, ensuring trust and community oversight rather than distant government control. Residents of Westbury seek a safer environment free from the threats of crime while reclaiming a sense of autonomy.

Energy stability is also critical, as frequent power outages affect daily life. Community members advocate for solar panels as essential infrastructure, not just as a luxury, aspiring for solar hubs to power homes and businesses sustainably.

Cultural visibility was another focus. Residents envisioned using augmented reality to showcase their community’s history and art, binding together the past and future. Education initiatives were also proposed, including digital learning centers for youth to acquire skills in coding and music production.

This case study highlights that smart technology in Westbury is not about futuristic gadgets but rather about real-life applications that respect the community’s values—safety, creativity, and resilience. To ensure the success of smart cities in Africa, urban planning must involve local voices in a co-creative manner, rather than imposing top-down solutions that overlook the complexities of everyday life.

Globally, examples of participatory urban planning, such as Cape Town’s “Play Khayelitsha” and Medellín’s inclusive transport initiatives, illustrate the benefits of engaging communities in decision-making processes. These approaches result in urban environments that reflect the needs and aspirations of residents, ultimately leading to more sustainable and equitable outcomes. The lessons from Westbury serve as a reminder that the smartest cities are those built with, rather than for, their inhabitants.

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