Barriers to restorative social justice in South African smart cities: urban segregation, governance and resource distribution

Despite progress on various fronts in realizing South Africa’s smart city goals, systemic barriers to inclusion remain, obstructing restorative social justice and perpetuating apartheid-era inequalities. This study investigates how, in the context of more general technological advances, urban segregation, governance and resource distribution intersect to reinforce inequity in the smart cities of Johannesburg, Cape Town and Ekurhuleni. Drawing on interviews with community members, local government officials and urban planners, the study reveals that entrenched spatial segregation continues to restrict access to smart technologies – excluding marginalized voices, favouring affluent areas, and deepening the digital divide and socioeconomic disparities. By outlining how resource allocation shapes outcomes for disadvantaged groups, the study identifies governance strategies that can mitigate these challenges. By providing place-based evidence, it supports more equitable urban development, and calls for policies that give marginalized communities increased access to vital digital and physical infrastructure.