Unlocking social sustainability and inclusivity of digitalized urban public Facilities

A Causal model across global case studies

Datos Bibliográficos

ID7169644
AutoresAlireza Moghayedi (0000-0002-4165-0777, University of Cape Town, autor de correspondencia), Kathy Michell (0000-0002-3907-7393, University of Cape Town), Shalini R Urs (0000-0001-9136-590X, JSS Dental College and Hospital), Shalini Urs, Anh Tran (0000-0002-0849-9155), A T T Tran (0000-0002-1953-1114, Queensland University of Technology), Jim Mason (University of the West of England)
Año2026
Volumen85
Páginas103217
Fecha de publicación2026-06-01
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaTechnology in Society (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0160-791X • E-ISSN: 1879-3274
EditorialElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.techsoc.2026.103217
OpenAlexW7118538100
IdiomaEN
Referencias citadas28

The rapid digital transformation of urban environments is reshaping how citizens interact with public infrastructure. One emerging innovation is Digitalized Urban Public Facilities (DUPFs). While DUPFs are widely recognized for their operational and technological benefits, their social implications, particularly regarding inclusivity and social sustainability, remain underexplored. This study addresses this gap by examining how DUPF characteristics, user experiences, and socio-demographic profiles interact to shape perceptions of inclusivity and social sustainability. Adopting a multi-method quantitative research design, the study combines descriptive analysis and inferential modeling techniques. Drawing from a comprehensive literature review, a causal model is developed and validated using survey data collected from users across four global case studies. Through structural equation modeling (SEM) and moderation analysis, the findings reveal that DUPFs significantly enhance social sustainability, especially among marginalized and older users, who benefit most from improved accessibility, usability, and service responsiveness. The results further highlight that higher levels of digitalization and accessible information correlate strongly with perceived inclusivity. Moderation effects show that age and marginalization status amplify the positive impacts of DUPFs, while gender and income have minimal moderating influence. This study contributes novel insights into the social value of digital public services and provides actionable guidance for designing inclusive, user-centered DUPFs that advance equity and urban sustainability across diverse communities. • Presents a comprehensive user-centered evaluation of Digitalized Urban Public Facilities (DUPFs), comparing perceived advantages and challenges across both marginalized and non-marginalized urban populations. • Identifies 19 advantages and 23 challenges of DUPFs, thematically clustered using factor analysis to inform inclusive digital service design for sustainable urban futures. • Reveals a digital hierarchy of needs, emphasizing divergent priorities between marginalized and non-marginalized users, and calls for differentiated policy and design interventions. • Provides actionable recommendations for inclusive, resilient, and citizen-centered digital infrastructure, supporting equitable access, trust-building, and urban social sustainability

Causal model · Digital divide · Equity (law) · Moderation · Perception · Public service · Social equality · Structural equation modeling · Sustainability · Assistive Technology in Communication and Mobility · Facilities and Workplace Management · Smart Cities and Technologies

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