Just smart? The comparative analysis of smart initiatives in North America and Nordic countries

There is a strong belief in the policy and academic worlds that the smart city concept can pave the way for inclusive urban governance by promoting citizen engagement. However, smart initiatives may strengthen the existing or create new inequalities, undermining the ability of underrepresented groups to influence urban governance decisions. This study critically examines this dilemma by analyzing eight smart initiatives across four Arctic cities: Bodø (Norway), Oulu (Finland), Fairbanks (USA), and Yellowknife (Canada). Through a comparative framework that accounts for the unique justice issues in the Arctic, such as severe climate challenges and the legacy of Indigenous suppression, we analyze qualitative open data available in the local media and on official web resources and assess whether and how these initiatives foster a just society. Our findings indicate the existing high potential of human-centric smart initiatives to enable public engagement. However, the study concludes that smart city projects often fail to adequately prioritize underrepresented groups’ interests, like those of Arctic Indigenous communities. This underscores the urgent need for further research into the intersections between smart city development and the principles of a just city.