The Psychology of the Smart City, Part 1: Meeting Human Needs

The ancient Greek Philosopher Democritus was the first to coin the notion that the individual can be considered the “social atom” of a society. Just like an individual, a society has myriad internal influences and diverse factors that make up its personality. Because these influences and factors are based on people, they heavily reflect the psychology of the people that reside there.

The Personal Needs Hierarchy

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is perhaps the most commonly used framework for understanding human psychology. It divides our needs into five levels:

1.      Physiological needs

2.      Safety and security

3.      Love and belonging

4.      Self-esteem

5.      Self-actualization

These needs are sometimes grouped into two types: hygiene and motivator factors.  Hygiene needs are often unnoticed when they are met, but cause dissatisfaction and suffering when they are absent. Motivator needs, however, elicit positive feelings and energize people the more they are present.

Psychology and Cities

Because cities and communities are made up of people, the social psychology of them can be understood in much the same way. People rarely notice that they have running water, sewage systems, and peaceful streets. But when these are missing, social unrest grows and society even destabilizes if they are missing for long enough. Governments are expected to provide for

these hygiene needs at a bare minimum. Fulfilling motivator needs is what makes cities great. Think of the exciting nightlife of New York, the creative entrepreneurship of San Francisco, or the artistry of Paris – these cities have built strong communities that help people thrive.

From Technology to Meeting Human Needs

Cities should take a human-centered design approach to becoming smarter, and use new technologies in the service of meeting these psychological needs. Human needs vary by city, neighborhood, and individual, but by implementing targeted, locally relevant initiatives in the communities where the needs exist, cities can provide the conditions that help people reach their potential.

·         What human or psychological needs is your city hoping to address with its smart city initiatives?

·         What additional initiatives could address unmet needs?

·         Do you agree with the city-adapted hierarchy of needs below? What would you add, take out, or move?