GEDSI In Smart City Policy: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Regulation in Indonesia

Abstract

Smart city has become a significant agenda in national development. This concept is promoted as a solution for the modernization and efficiency of urban life. However, behind the narrative of progress lies a crucial question regarding the position and inclusivity of citizens within the framework of its policies. Therefore, this study aims to critically analyze the discourse embedded in national-level smart city policies, including how such discourse is reproduced through policy communication and socialization.

Employing a Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) approach, this research examines fundamental aspects such as the construction of discourse within regulations and policy communications relevant to Smart City in Indonesia, specifically in relation to whether these discourses integrate or, conversely, negate the principles of Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI). Furthermore, the analysis is extended to explore how discursive practices in official government reporting reinforce or weaken the principle of inclusivity toward society and vulnerable groups.

The objects of this research include regulatory documents relevant to national-level smart city policies as well as related government-issued news texts. The analytical focus of this study rests on the initial proposition that the dominant discourse in smart city regulations is predominantly top-down and characterized by minimal meaningful public involvement, which ultimately risks perpetuating exclusion of vulnerable groups and negating GEDSI principles in development. This study contributes to the critical discourse on digital urbanism in Indonesia by uncovering the social implications of policy language and providing insights for policymakers and civil society to promote a more just and inclusive implementation of smart city initiatives.