The Potential of Smart City Controversies to Foster Civic Engagement, Ethical Reflection and Alternative Imaginaries

Anouk Geenen; Julieta Matos Castaño; Mascha van der Voort

doi:10.1007/978-3-031-25233-4_11

The Potential of Smart City Controversies to Foster Civic Engagement, Ethical Reflection and Alternative Imaginaries

Anouk Geenen^*
, Julieta Matos Castaño
, Mascha van der Voort

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Academic › peer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In this chapter, we argue that socio-technical controversies are conflicts to embrace and utilize, rather than to smoothen out or avoid. Building on theoretical insights from Science and Technology Studies and Philosophy of Engineering, and contextualizing these in the smart city, we highlight a threefold potential of smart city controversies to work towards more responsible development of our future cities. We argue that socio-technical controversies are promising entry points for civic engagement, ethical reflection and alternative imaginaries on the introduction of technology in cities. We support this framework by examples from global smart city projects, and suggest a ‘Designing for Controversies’ approach to embrace conflict in a constructive manner.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Rethinking Technology and Engineering
Subtitle of host publication	Dialogues Across Disciplines and Geographies
Editors	Albrecht Fritzsche, Andres Santa-Maria
Publisher	Springer
Pages	143-155
Number of pages	13
ISBN (Electronic)	978-3-031-25233-4
ISBN (Print)	978-3-031-25232-7, 978-3-031-25235-8
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-25233-4_11
Publication status	Published - 2023

Publication series

Name	Philosophy of Engineering and Technology
Volume	45
ISSN (Print)	1879-7202
ISSN (Electronic)	1879-7210

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Keywords

Alternative imaginaries
Civic engagement
Ethical reflection
Smart city
Socio-technical controversies
NLA

Access to Document

10.1007/978-3-031-25233-4_11

Cite this

Geenen, A., Matos Castaño, J., & van der Voort, M. (2023). The Potential of Smart City Controversies to Foster Civic Engagement, Ethical Reflection and Alternative Imaginaries. In A. Fritzsche, & A. Santa-Maria (Eds.), Rethinking Technology and Engineering: Dialogues Across Disciplines and Geographies (pp. 143-155). (Philosophy of Engineering and Technology; Vol. 45). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-25233-4_11

Geenen, Anouk ; Matos Castaño, Julieta ; van der Voort, Mascha. / The Potential of Smart City Controversies to Foster Civic Engagement, Ethical Reflection and Alternative Imaginaries. Rethinking Technology and Engineering: Dialogues Across Disciplines and Geographies. editor / Albrecht Fritzsche ; Andres Santa-Maria. Springer, 2023. pp. 143-155 (Philosophy of Engineering and Technology).

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Geenen, A, Matos Castaño, J & van der Voort, M 2023, The Potential of Smart City Controversies to Foster Civic Engagement, Ethical Reflection and Alternative Imaginaries. in A Fritzsche & A Santa-Maria (eds), Rethinking Technology and Engineering: Dialogues Across Disciplines and Geographies. Philosophy of Engineering and Technology, vol. 45, Springer, pp. 143-155. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-25233-4_11

The Potential of Smart City Controversies to Foster Civic Engagement, Ethical Reflection and Alternative Imaginaries. / Geenen, Anouk; Matos Castaño, Julieta; van der Voort, Mascha.
Rethinking Technology and Engineering: Dialogues Across Disciplines and Geographies. ed. / Albrecht Fritzsche; Andres Santa-Maria. Springer, 2023. p. 143-155 (Philosophy of Engineering and Technology; Vol. 45).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Academic › peer-review

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T1 - The Potential of Smart City Controversies to Foster Civic Engagement, Ethical Reflection and Alternative Imaginaries

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AU - van der Voort, Mascha

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AB - In this chapter, we argue that socio-technical controversies are conflicts to embrace and utilize, rather than to smoothen out or avoid. Building on theoretical insights from Science and Technology Studies and Philosophy of Engineering, and contextualizing these in the smart city, we highlight a threefold potential of smart city controversies to work towards more responsible development of our future cities. We argue that socio-technical controversies are promising entry points for civic engagement, ethical reflection and alternative imaginaries on the introduction of technology in cities. We support this framework by examples from global smart city projects, and suggest a ‘Designing for Controversies’ approach to embrace conflict in a constructive manner.

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KW - Civic engagement

KW - Ethical reflection

KW - Smart city

KW - Socio-technical controversies

KW - NLA

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Geenen A, Matos Castaño J, van der Voort M. The Potential of Smart City Controversies to Foster Civic Engagement, Ethical Reflection and Alternative Imaginaries. In Fritzsche A, Santa-Maria A, editors, Rethinking Technology and Engineering: Dialogues Across Disciplines and Geographies. Springer. 2023. p. 143-155. (Philosophy of Engineering and Technology). doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-25233-4_11

The Potential of Smart City Controversies to Foster Civic Engagement, Ethical Reflection and Alternative Imaginaries

Abstract

Publication series

UN SDGs

Keywords

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