Use of Technology-based Citizen Participation Methods and Instruments for More Inclusive and Just Cities, A Critical Literature Review

Abstract

One of the fundamental principles of realizing an inclusive and just city involves designing an accessible environment for all, including physically disadvantaged groups, such as the elderly, children and people with a physical disability (Martin et al.,2019). This paper offers a critical literature review on technology-based citizen participation methods and instruments designed to enhance the accessibility of open public spaces - streets, parks, squares - for all inhabitants, including physically disadvantaged groups. Digital technologies, such as AI, can be powerful means to facilitate active and effective citizen participation in design and planning decision-making processes (Goodspeed, 2015). However, these technologies often have limitations for those disadvantaged groups due to the following: (1) these groups often have limited access and capacities to use new technologies (Vaportzis et al., 2017), (2) lack of diversity and biases in datasets used for technology development (Münster et al., 2017), and (3) there are different levels of trust in technologies in different political and cultural contexts (Aristeidou et al.,2017). Improving digital technologies and tools for active citizen participation is crucial in achieving inclusive and just cities by efficiently involving disadvantaged groups throughout urban design interventions’ design, testing, and evaluation processes.

This paper presents a critical literature review on existing technologies for citizen participation, particularly for disadvantaged groups, to develop a conceptual framework linking accessibility, representation, and utilization of emerging participation technologies. This framework provides insights into the complexities of integrating emerging participation technologies into cities’ social and spatial landscapes. Additionally, it aims to guide future research efforts towards creating citizen participatory technologies that are technologically advanced and, at the same time, socially equal.