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VOL. 8, ISSUE 6 (2023)
Urban anthropology: Smart cities, Inequality, and changing community Life
Authors
Sadhna Verma
Abstract
Urban anthropology, a subfield of social
anthropology, critically examines the cultural, social, political, and economic
dimensions of urban life. In the 21st century, the rise of “smart cities” has
redefined the contours of urban development worldwide, including in India,
where the Smart Cities Mission (2015) has become a flagship initiative. While
promising sustainability, efficiency, and digital inclusion, smart cities
simultaneously reproduce or intensify inequalities and alter traditional
community life. This paper explores the anthropology of smart cities through
the lenses of inequality, governance, and changing community relations. Drawing
on case studies from India (Delhi, Bengaluru, Pune, Varanasi, Lucknow) and
global contexts (Barcelona, Singapore), the paper highlights the duality of
smart city transformations: innovation and progress alongside marginalization
and exclusion. It emphasizes anthropological insights into everyday lived
experiences, identity negotiations, and social stratification in smart urban
environments.
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Pages:32-34
How to cite this article:
Sadhna Verma "Urban anthropology: Smart cities, Inequality, and changing community Life". International Journal of Advanced Research and Development, Vol 8, Issue 6, 2023, Pages 32-34
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