Smart Cities in Mauritius: Opportunities and Challenges
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48346/IMIST.PRSM/ajlp-gs.v6i4.42090Keywords:
Smart cities, Mauritius, urban preservation models, technology, sustainable developmentAbstract
Context and background:
This paper explores the intersection of smart cities and urban preservation models. The concept of smart cities is rapidly gaining momentum as a way to improve efficiency, sustainability, and livability of urban areas. However, the pursuit of these goals can sometimes conflict with the need to preserve historic and culturally significant urban areas.
Main goal and objectives:
This paper examines how smart city technologies can be integrated with urban preservation models to create sustainable and liveable cities while also preserving their unique character and cultural heritage.
Methodology:
It discusses case studies of cities that have successfully implemented such integration, as well as challenges and opportunities for future implementation. Mauritius, like many other countries, is exploring the concept of smart cities as a means to enhance its urban infrastructure and improve the quality of life for its citizens. Smart cities leverage technology and data to optimize various aspects of urban life, including transportation, energy management, public services, and environmental sustainability. While smart cities present numerous opportunities for Mauritius, they also come with their fair share of challenges.
Results:
The paper examines the challenges and opportunities of the development of smart cities in the Mauritian context. It concludes that smart cities and urban preservation models can complement each other, and that their integration can lead to a more harmonious and sustainable urban future. By integrating smart city technologies and urban preservation models, cities can create a harmonious balance between technological advancement, sustainability, and the preservation of historical and cultural heritage.
References
Caragliu, A., Del Bo, C., & Nijkamp, P. (2011). Smart cities in Europe. Journal of urban technology, 18(2), 65-82.
De Jong, M., Joss, S., Schraven, D., Zhan, C., & Weijnen, M. (2015). Sustainable smart resilient low carbon-eco-knowledge cities; making sense of a multitude of concepts promoting sustainable urbanization. Journal of Cleaner Production, 109, 25-38.
Hale, S. A. (2013). Smart cities and urban governance: The potential for realignment. Cityscape: A Journal of Policy Development and Research, 15(3), 55-68.2
Kwecko, V. and Botelho, S. (2018) Collaborative Intelligence in Smart Cities: A Systematic Review. Social Networking, 7, 181-195
Lichfield D. (1992), Urban Regeneration for the 1990’s, London Planning Advisory Committee, London
National Development Strategy Plan (2003) Ministry of Housing, Mauritius
Padmapriya, V. and Sujatha, D.N. (2021) Future of Sustainable Smart Cities: an insight; Blockchain for Smart Cities, Elsevier
Visvizi, A and Lytras, M.D. (2019) Smart Cities: Issues and Challenges, Mapping Political, Social and Economic Risks and Threats, Elsevier
Economic Development Board (2023) https://edbmauritius.org/sector/smart-city-scheme [19 June 2023]
European Commission (2023):
https://commission.europa.eu/eu-regional-and-urban-development/topics/cities-and-urban-development/city-initiatives/smart-cities_en [20 July 2023]
https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/smart-cities-and-communities [20 July 2023]
Institute for Management Development (2021): https://www.imd.org/smart-city-observatory/home/ [19 June 2023]
StatsMauritius (2023): https://statsmauritius.govmu.org [20 July 2023]

