Urbanization and sustainable development for inclusiveness using ICTs

The arrival of information and communication technology (ICT) as well as the deployments of free and open-source software (FOSS) have brought hope to developing countries that the use of enabling technologies potentially mitigates the impact of global environmental and socio-economic crises, and it drive radical changes in a user's skills or culture. In 2019, with widespread territorial disparities, approximately 53.6% people were connected to the Internet worldwide. The majority of the offline user lives in the least developed countries, and only 19% of them use the internet, compared to 87% in developed nations. Sustainable development depends on successful management of open and inclusive urban development, especially in low-income and middle-income countries, where the fastest urbanization is expected to occur by the year 2050. The application of ICT enhances the independence, dignity, and equal opportunities of all people, thereby promoting their integration into society. An inclusive approach-based citizen participation is extremely important for building an inclusive society. Furthermore, this study highlights the current issues and challenges in developing countries, as well as the role of ICT in promoting socio-economic development, where it can serve as a catalyst for the implementation of the concept of sustainable urbanization. Considering the emerging socio-technological aspect, a framework for a sustainable socio-technical ecosystem is presented here to achieve economic independence and empowerment.