Examining Smart Cities and the Urban Poor: A Socio Legal Critique of Environmental Exclusion

This study critically examines the intersection of smart city initiatives and the rights of the urban poor, with a focus on environmental exclusion. Through a socio-legal analysis, this research highlights how smart city policies and projects often perpetuate existing social and economic inequalities, further marginalizing vulnerable populations. By exploring the lived experiences of urban poor communities, this study reveals the ways in which environmental exclusion exacerbates issues of poverty, health, and livelihood insecurity. This research argues for a more inclusive and equitable approach to urban planning and development, one that prioritizes the rights and needs of all citizens, particularly the most marginalized. Ultimately, this study contributes to ongoing debates about sustainable and just urban development, highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding of the complex relationships between urbanization, poverty, and environmental justice.