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

Seema Mundoli (), Hita Unnikrishnan and Harini Nagendra
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Seema Mundoli: Azim Premji University
Hita Unnikrishnan: Azim Premji University
Harini Nagendra: Azim Premji University

DECISION: Official Journal of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, 2017, vol. 44, issue 2, No 3, 103-120

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: Smart cities; Urban commons; Ecosystem services; Exclusion; Sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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DOI: 10.1007/s40622-017-0152-x

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