Much attention is given to fairness and equity in the smart city, whether algorithmic bias, surveillance, or socio-economic inclusion. This talk directs attention to an explicitly spatial component of the smart city apparatus: sensor networks, their placement, and the emergence of coverage gaps—or sensor deserts. How are cities and other stakeholders to make decisions about placement and where does coverage of vulnerable groups and places fit in?
In this talk, Prof. Rachel Franklin will provide a conceptual overview of the sensor location-spatial inequality dilemma, give a case study example from Newcastle upon Tyne, introduce a potential solution, and conclude with some thoughts for both researchers and those on the ground working with smart city sensor networks, including local governments, policymakers, and community groups.