Application of Internet of Things Technology in Sustainable Community Environmental Monitoring and Governance

This paper examines the appropriateness of IoT technology in Barcelona’s smart city concerning green management of the community. The cross-sectional qualitative case study research approach adopted for the study involves determining the types of IoT apparatus deployed, difficulties experienced when deploying the IoT devices, and the relationship between IoT and transparency, communicative participation, and decision-making in environmental governance. The study proves that IoT devices including air quality sensors, water quality sensors, and smart waste management have enhanced the availability of real-time environmental data in Barcelona. This has helped to improve it through guesswork and has also resulted in increased accountability to the public. That said, challenges such as high-cost incidences, lack of technical skills, and data security concerns act as a thorn in the side of organisations willing to leverage IoT to its optimum. Considering all these, the study affirms that IoT has a large capacity to positively influence sustainable governance if equal access to technology and adequate social support is offered especially in deprived society sectors.