Session

Architecture and Spatial Planning

Description

This paper examines Western cultural biases and their impact on how Smart City models address environmental and social issues by exploring the gap between the idealized Smart City concept and its real-world implementation. Despite enthusiasm and investment in smart cities, several unresolved shortcomings remain, and the study attempts to critically assess the interference of cultural biases in achieving the expected goals. Smart cities rely heavily on technology, but concerns such as increased resource consumption, exclusion of marginalized groups, gender bias and privacy underline the need for enhanced ethical considerations. In addition, economic interests often prioritize short-term gains over long-term sustainability. This research highlights the importance of questioning cultural assumptions, decolonizing smart city initiatives and understanding the complex influences that shape this model of urban development. While not exhaustive, this research encourages a deeper understanding of the underlying assumptions that may perpetuate an unsustainable and unjust urban model, rather than promoting true sustainability and social justice.

Keywords:

Smart city; Cultural Bias; Power Imbalance; Sustainability; Responsibility; De-colonization.

Proceedings Editor

Edmond Hajrizi

ISBN

978-9951-550-95-6

Location

UBT Lipjan, Kosovo

Start Date

28-10-2023 8:00 AM

End Date

29-10-2023 6:00 PM

DOI

10.33107/ubt-ic.2023.239

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Oct 28th, 8:00 AM Oct 29th, 6:00 PM

Navigating Cultural Biases in Smart City Models: An Analysis of Environmental and Social Implications.

UBT Lipjan, Kosovo

This paper examines Western cultural biases and their impact on how Smart City models address environmental and social issues by exploring the gap between the idealized Smart City concept and its real-world implementation. Despite enthusiasm and investment in smart cities, several unresolved shortcomings remain, and the study attempts to critically assess the interference of cultural biases in achieving the expected goals. Smart cities rely heavily on technology, but concerns such as increased resource consumption, exclusion of marginalized groups, gender bias and privacy underline the need for enhanced ethical considerations. In addition, economic interests often prioritize short-term gains over long-term sustainability. This research highlights the importance of questioning cultural assumptions, decolonizing smart city initiatives and understanding the complex influences that shape this model of urban development. While not exhaustive, this research encourages a deeper understanding of the underlying assumptions that may perpetuate an unsustainable and unjust urban model, rather than promoting true sustainability and social justice.