The report highlights government priorities and prominent safe city initiatives in Zimbabwe, assesses the possible benefits and challenges and considers the perceptions of citizens and critical actors.
An online survey was used to capture the views of diverse Zimbabwean stakeholders concerning smart city initiatives. The survey findings identified numerous benefits of smart city initiatives, from detecting and preventing crime, enhancing access to local city councils and service delivery, improving traffic management systems, enhancing water management systems, increasing investments and economic growth, and facilitating safety through street lighting solutions.
The survey also uncovered views from concerned citizens, capturing the considerable perception of smart city initiatives used as weapons to target human rights defenders and critics of the government; and for corrupt practices occasioned by opaque procurement processes.
One Response
The term “Smart cities” is restrictive. Suggests tech is the common denominator. Sustainable cities will encumber other aspects city planners/ fathers have to attend to.