Creating Smart Cities in Developing Countries: The Possibilities and Challenges

Developing smart cities in developing countries presents opportunities and challenges, requiring a focus on citizens’ needs and equitable technology adoptions.

FREMONT, CA: The majority of smart city efforts have thus far advanced in developed economies, with Europeans and Nordics setting the bar for the use of digital technologies to enhance municipal services.

The concept of a smart city goes beyond the mere application of digital technologies in urban areas. According to a report in the World Economic Forum, the involvement of corporate sectors and authorities is necessary to ensure that technology makes a meaningful contribution to all aspects of citizens’ lives.

Municipal authorities have implemented networks of cameras and IoT sensors to enhance public services in various areas, including transportation and waste management. Regardless of the objectives, the World Economic Forum argues that there is a significant gap between the intended goals and the actual outcomes of smart city initiatives. This is because technology companies tend to favour investing in cities with mature economies across the US and Europe, as opposed to those in the southern hemisphere.

London, New York, Tokyo, and Paris were listed among the top 10 smart cities by the WEF in November 2022 based on nine measures that included governance, digital skills, and environmental sustainability. Nairobi, Lagos, Brasilia, and Kolkata were among the bottom-ranking developing cities.

In addition, in developing countries, smart city concepts are typically criticised since local governments are commonly burdened with expensive technology by international vendors and the projects are frequently ill-suited to local circumstances.

Misinterpretation of what a smart city actually denotes significantly adds to this problem.

Smart cities are often portrayed with a shiny and futuristic appearance, featuring modern buildings and advanced transportation vehicles. However, this idealised image may not reflect the reality of smart city development, which can often face challenges and limitations in implementation. The definition of a smart city should prioritise addressing the fundamental challenges faced by citizens, and placing technology as a secondary consideration.

Discussions about smart cities are obscured by "the futuristic bits, making it challenging to understand what a city actually needs from smart efforts. In addition to the general definition of smart cities, developing nations encounter more fundamental challenges such as power supply and water shortages that may impede their willingness to invest in expensive technology deployments.

Core City Challenges  

President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa announced a scheme to construct an ambitious smart urban landscape in 2022, yet the initiative has been met with controversy. At the launch event of the project, Mnangagwa explained the 500 million USD plan as a way to construct the smartest city in the region, designed after Dubai’s advanced technology-driven concept, in the north-western area of Harare.

There was a division of opinions triggered by the move to develop smart cities in Zimbabwe, particularly since the country is still grappling with electricity failures and major cities have been without reliable access to running water for years due to the legacy of a racially divided urban system.

Emirati investors are supporting the development of New Harare, which will feature a new stock exchange, presidential palace, and luxury villas. However, it is vague whether the project will address the more pressing issues faced by the country. India's announcement in 2015 of a USD 90 billion plan to construct 100 smart cities was met with criticism and concerns about potential economic inequalities in the future.

The development of smart cities in developing countries presents both possibilities and challenges. While these cities may face unique obstacles such as power supply and water shortages, the adoption of smart technologies can help create more efficient, sustainable, and livable urban areas. However, it is vital to prioritise the needs of citizens and ensure that smart city initiatives are inclusive and equitable. The definition of a smart city should focus on addressing fundamental challenges faced by citizens, with technology as a secondary consideration. This helps developing countries to improve their citizens’ lives and contribute to socio-economic development.