Reconciling Nature-Technology-Child Connections: Smart Cities and the Necessity of a New Paradigm of Nature-Sensitive Technologies for Today’s Children

Raisa Sultana () and Scott Hawken
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Raisa Sultana: Department of Geography and Environment, Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
Scott Hawken: Landscape Architecture Program, School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 8, 1-19

Abstract: There is a serious and problematic disconnection between children and the natural environment. This has been documented across various disciplines and fields of endeavour, including science, the creative arts, the social sciences, education, design, and the humanities. The nature–people disconnection is particularly concerning at this present juncture when understanding and advocating for the natural environment is necessary to address global environmental crises. Smart cities have, to date, focused on business and economic directions. In recent times, there has been an emerging awareness that such technologically advanced urban environments must link to and inspire an understanding and care for nature in more profound and meaningful ways. Therefore, this paper aims to identify opportunities and discuss how technology can improve this interaction through advancing and implementing nature-positive and nature-sensitive technologies through a critical review of the literature spanning smart cities, children, and nature-based technologies. Such linkages can serve as a driving force behind the transformation of cities as they adapt to support initiatives, such as the post-2020 biodiversity agenda.

Keywords: child-nature relationship; nature disconnectedness; nature-sensitive technologies; smart cities; nature sensitive design; IoT wearables; mobile devices; augmented reality; gamified activities; landscape technologies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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