Smart City EDI Atlas
Project Overview
Cities worldwide are increasingly adopting smart technologies to improve urban services, yet the design of these systems often overlooks the diverse needs of the communities they serve. The Smart City EDI Atlas is an interactive platform that makes Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion principles tangible, actionable, and inspectable through a navigable 2D/3D atlas of urban environments. Developed through the IEEE Smart Cities Talent, Culture, and Engagement Committee, the project supports advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion across technical professions and aligned organisations. The atlas organises inclusive urban design around six core EDI themes: accessibility, safety, age-friendly design, gender equity, digital inclusion, and neurodiversity. Each theme is grounded in evidence-backed content drawn from international frameworks including the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, WHO age-friendly city guidelines, and ISO accessibility standards. Design principles, case studies, and implementation checklists are cross-linked through a shared source registry with built-in provenance — original URLs, archived PDFs, and full-page screenshots — ensuring that all atlas-visible evidence can be traced and verified. The platform combines a React and Three.js frontend for interactive exploration with a FastAPI backend for data management and analytics. Users can navigate mapped EDI-relevant urban elements, compare how different cities address inclusion challenges, and access practical guidance for implementing inclusive design in their own contexts. The atlas contributes to research engagement, partnership-building, and the development of practical resources that strengthen inclusive smart city research and practice.
The Smart City EDI Atlas makes inclusive urban design principles navigable and inspectable through an interactive platform. Users can explore how EDI themes intersect with urban infrastructure, access evidence-backed design guidelines, and compare implementation approaches across different contexts.
Six EDI Themes. The atlas is structured around six core themes that represent key dimensions of inclusive urban design. Accessibility addresses physical and digital barriers in urban environments. Safety examines how urban design affects the security and comfort of diverse populations. Age-friendly design considers the needs of both older adults and children in city planning. Gender equity explores how urban spaces can be designed to serve all genders equitably. Digital inclusion addresses the gap between those who can and cannot access smart city services. Neurodiversity considers how sensory environments and wayfinding systems affect neurodiverse populations.
Evidence-Backed Content. Each atlas element is linked to source records drawn from international frameworks, academic research, and real-world case studies. The provenance system maintains original URLs alongside archived PDFs and screenshots, ensuring that the evidence base remains accessible even as external sources change. This approach supports both practical use by city planners and academic rigour for research purposes.
Cross-Linked Guidance. Design principles, standards, and implementation examples are resolved through a shared source registry that connects related concepts across themes. This cross-linking allows users to see, for example, how accessibility standards relate to age-friendly design guidelines, or how digital inclusion initiatives can support neurodiversity.
Team
