Smart Cities and Sickness of Our Times: Technologism

We try to solve every social problem with technology. Social entrepreneurs start explaining their projects by saying "I have an application idea".

19 April 2018, Semuhi Sinanoğlu

By smart street lamp systems, it is now possible to provide environment-friendly lighting, increase internet access and inform drivers about free parking areas. It is also possible to solve traffic problem by organizing public transportation systems with real-time data coming directly from users. By digital platforms, it is possible to bring non-profit organizations together with disadvantaged social groups and coordinate social services in a certain location.

Smart city concepts are in high demand thanks to their innovative solutions. It is without a doubt that technology is very important to overcome city life problems. However, we try to solve every social problem with technology. Social entrepreneurs start explaining their projects by saying “I have an application idea”. Technology, however, can also intensify our existing prejudices and incite social exclusion of disadvantaged groups. In short, prejudices sneak also into the algorithms.

We should not forget that technology is one of the tools to solution. The main issue here is how many different social groups are included in the solution process.

This year, the Government of Canada has started a smart cities challenge for municipalities and local organizations. Its aim is to expand that very idea. Projects that offer a society-oriented technological solution are supported. Municipalities/local governments/indigenous communities are required to undertake meaningful engagement with residents and forge relationships with new and non-traditional partners. The challenge prioritizes small and medium sized municipalities and will give 75 million dollars of prize money.

We, as young professionals coming from 5 different countries, have started an initiative called CityInclusive thanks to the motion the challenge has brought. Our aim is to find out how the municipalities include disadvantaged groups in their smart city projects and to practice advocacy for better activities.

Smart cities discussions are popular in our country, too. Turkey Informatics Foundation’s evaluation report presents a detailed picture on ongoing smart city projects. In light of these evaluations, I believe that Turkey will also benefit from the Challenge in Canada. For example, smart city applications can lead to the opening of new areas for community involvement. As the city life is exposed to a neoliberal destruction, locally organized “smart” applications can strengthen our communal in the city. One of the most important preconditions of it is CSOs’ and local initiatives’ taking serious steps about smart city projects.

In short, the only solution to our problems about the city is not technology. The solution is to be locally organized to solve problems via technology.