Human Behaviour in Africa: a Real Challenge Factor towards Building Smart Cities

Boualy, Abderrahim (2024) Human Behaviour in Africa: a Real Challenge Factor towards Building Smart Cities. KEEP ON PLANNING FOR THE REAL WORLD. Climate Change calls for Nature-based Solutions and Smart Technologies. Proceedings of REAL CORP 2024, 29th International Conference on Urban Development, Regional Planning and Information Society. pp. 743-746. ISSN 2521-3938

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Abstract

Traditional behaviours and lack of education are two main elements that lead to resistance for change. However the new approaches of development, especially human centred design helps to break the ice and allow individuals and groups to lead the change by themselves. Humans in general and Africans in particular usually resist change. The old generation is not prepared to adapt and support the change. Using technologies in public services is a burden for them. The resistance for change from all community stakeholders including residents, local authorities and local business can slow down the process and delay the adoption of technology integration urban planification. However the inclusion of all stakeholders in early stages during the policy making process allows the success for change. Therefore, the success of building Smart cities in Africa and Morocco in particular needs to start from civil society integration in the decision making process. The idea needs to come from the people and the city council needs to play the role of the facilitator. Another factor is privacy and identity. Smart cities are defined by locals with limited or no education background as a tool for disconnection from the original culture. In the meantime, the privacy concern relates to collecting personal data of the citizens. Therefore, the city councils need to include this important element in their strategic action plans. Building trust and familiarising citizens with new technologies planned to be integrated in the citizen's daily life is a must. If there is lack of trust on how the personal data is protected during and after the implementation of smart cities’ projects, it can lead to total rejection of citizens. Africa continents lack awareness and clear understanding of smart cities. The example of Agadir smart city in Morocco has exposed all mentioned challenges and obstacles. Despite significant investment put by the government and the local council to rebuild Agadir city with integrating technologies to enhance public service and create an environmentally smart city in Morocco. However, the cultural and social factors including societal norms can play a huge role in delaying the implementation of Agadir smart city. This factor will influence the interaction of citizens with integrated technologies in their daily lives.The municipality of Agadir action plan of 2022 to 2027 can be an example of citizens integration in the process of building and implementing smart city initiative through organising consultative meetings with all community stakeholders to have a say about the action plan.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	cultural and social factors, resistance for change, strategic planning, smart cities, human behaviour
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor H Social Sciences > HM Sociology H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA76 Computer software
Depositing User:	REAL CORP Administrator
Date Deposited:	30 Apr 2024 09:36
Last Modified:	10 May 2024 08:47
URI:	http://repository.corp.at/id/eprint/1140

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