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The “Sustainable” in smart cities: ignoring the importance of urban ecosystems

Author

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  • Seema Mundoli

    (Azim Premji University)

  • Hita Unnikrishnan

    (Azim Premji University
    Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment
    Manipal University)

  • Harini Nagendra

    (Azim Premji University)

Abstract

This article argues that the smart city model proposed for an urbanising India ignores key elements of environmental sustainability. Urban green spaces in cities are common pool resources (CPRs) or urban commons that provide provisioning, supporting, regulating and cultural ecosystem services. However, the smart cities model disregards the provisioning services of urban CPRs that are critical for livelihoods and subsistence of urban marginalised groups. By prioritising certain uses, such as recreational, over others the model results in exclusion of urban poor from the commons. The paper highlights the multiple uses of urban commons, with emphasis on the provisioning services that support lives and livelihoods of urban residents. Alienation from CPRs, both by denying physical access and by erosion of cultural links, is also highlighted as a major concern. We urge a systematic reconceptualisation of urban sustainability, and towards a multi-faceted use-value of urban ecosystems, to develop both ecologically and socio-culturally smart cities.

Suggested Citation

  • Seema Mundoli & Hita Unnikrishnan & Harini Nagendra, 2017. "The “Sustainable” in smart cities: ignoring the importance of urban ecosystems," DECISION: Official Journal of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, Springer;Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, vol. 44(2), pages 103-120, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:decisn:v:44:y:2017:i:2:d:10.1007_s40622-017-0152-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s40622-017-0152-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Arpan Kumar Kar & Shweta Kumari Choudhary & P. Vigneswara Ilavarasan, 2023. "How can we improve tourism service experiences: insights from multi-stakeholders’ interaction," DECISION: Official Journal of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, Springer;Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, vol. 50(1), pages 73-89, March.
    3. María Teresa Bastanchury-López & Carmen De-Pablos-Heredero, 2022. "A Bibliometric Analysis on Smart Cities Related to Land Use," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-21, November.
    4. Unnikrishnan, Hita, 2018. "Thinking Beyond Fairy Lights and Fountains: Lessons from the Waterscape of Bengaluru," Ecology, Economy and Society - the INSEE Journal, Indian Society of Ecological Economics (INSEE), vol. 1(02), July.
    5. Haarstad, Håvard & Wathne, Marikken W., 2019. "Are smart city projects catalyzing urban energy sustainability?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 918-925.
    6. Oleg Dashkevych & Boris A. Portnov, 2022. "Criteria for Smart City Identification: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-34, April.

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