Smart Cities and Social Equity: A Review of Digital Urban Governance in Southeast Asia

Abstract

This systematic literature review examines smart city development and social equity across Southeast Asia through case studies from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Jakarta, Manila, and Ho Chi Minh City. Despite significant digital infrastructure investments, the research reveals that smart city initiatives frequently reproduce existing inequalities while creating new forms of digital exclusion. Three key findings emerge: first, smart city technologies embed values that primarily serve advantaged populations while creating barriers for marginalized communities; second, governance models emphasize technocratic approaches over democratic participation, with limited citizen influence on policy-making; third, expanding surveillance capabilities disproportionately impact vulnerable populations with insufficient privacy protections. The comparative analysis shows that political systems and governance capacity significantly influence whether digital urban governance promotes inclusion or exacerbates inequalities. The study introduces "digital stratification" to explain how smart cities create new social hierarchies based on digital access and engagement. These findings challenge techno-optimistic narratives and demonstrate that addressing equity requires fundamental reconsideration of power relations in urban governance. Cities must embrace participatory planning, integrate equity considerations throughout implementation, and establish stronger governance frameworks for accountability and transparency.