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Rennie Naidoo, Professor of Information Systems, University of the Witwatersrand

Smart cities start with people, not technology: lessons from Westbury, Johannesburg

Protesters blocking roads in Johannesburg, demanding a reliable water supply. Photo: Silver Sibiya GroundUp, CC BY-NC-ND

African cities are growing at an incredible pace. With this growth comes a mix of opportunity and challenge. How do we build cities that are not only smart but also fair, inclusive and resilient?

A smart city uses digital tools such as sensors, data networks and connected devices to run services more efficiently and respond to problems in real time. From traffic and electricity to public safety and waste removal, smart technologies aim to make life smoother, greener and more connected.

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