The scrutinised city. Governance and inequalities in urban digital ecosystems

Abstract

Urban digitalization configures a governance paradigm that simultaneously redefines administrative efficiency and social stratification. Through an interdisciplinary analysis that integrates European and Italian empirical data, this contribution problematizes the techno-deterministic assumption of digital neutrality, highlighting how the emergence of the “surveilled city” generates new forms of territorial and social inequality. The integration of pervasive surveillance systems, predictive algorithms, and 5G infrastructure configures complex socio-technical ecosystems that amplify pre-existing disparities rather than democratizing access. Analysis of ICR 2024 data documents significant North-South asymmetries in digital skills and technological implementation, while European regulatory frameworks (GDPR, ISO standards) prove inadequate to govern emerging complexity. The research outlines the necessity for innovative methodological approaches that balance operational efficiency, protection of fundamental rights, and territorial inclusion, positioning algorithmic governance as a democratic imperative for contemporary urban ecosystems.