Catalysing Urban Sustainability Transitions Through Household Smart Technology Engagement

Hidayati Ramli (), Zahirah Mokhtar Azizi and Niraj Thurairajah
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Hidayati Ramli: Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK
Zahirah Mokhtar Azizi: Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK
Niraj Thurairajah: Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 5, 1-36

Abstract: Households account for 20–40% of carbon emissions in urban areas, making them critical to achieving urban sustainability. Integrating smart technologies in households offers a promising pathway to enhance energy efficiency, mitigate climate change, and support the transition from Smart Cities to Sustainable Smart Cities (SSCs). However, achieving this transition requires not only technological adoption but also behavioural shifts that influence energy consumption—a gap in existing studies. This study examines how household engagement with smart technologies impacts behavioural change and systemic sustainability transitions. Using the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) framework enriched with System Thinking through Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs), qualitative data were collected via 11 household interviews exhibiting varying engagement levels. The findings revealed three household-regime dynamics: proactive households driving systemic change through innovation, moderately engaged households contributing to regime stability with financial incentives fostering gradual adoption, and resistant households reinforcing existing structures due to privacy concerns. By extending the MLP framework to incorporate behavioural and social dimensions, the study provided insights into how micro-level behaviours influence macro-level transitions, challenging techno-centric narratives. The findings underscore the need for policies that enhance awareness, address privacy concerns, and provide tailored incentives to catalyse smart technology adoption and energy efficiency, fostering a more inclusive and effective pathway toward sustainable urban futures.

Keywords: smart city; sustainable smart city; energy consumption behaviour; multi-level perspective; system thinking; causal loop diagram; meta-perspectives (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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