Smart Cities and Digital Identity: Exploring the Role of Aesthetic Digital Barcodes in Urban Architecture and Emerging Challenges

In the era of digital urbanism, the integration of digital identities into city infrastructures has introduced a new paradigm in smart city development. This study investigates the emerging concept of “aesthetic digital barcode cities,” where individuals are digitally recorded, tracked, and managed within sensor-enabled urban environments. The primary aim of this research is to explore how digital identity systems influence architectural design, urban aesthetics, and citizens' sensory experience, focusing on both the benefits and ethical challenges that arise.Employing a descriptive and analytical methodology, the study is grounded in a comprehensive literature review and critical examination of real-world cases such as Songdo (South Korea), China’s Social Credit Program, and Amazon Go. Although empirical data were not gathered from a specific population, the article simulates a conceptual "urban sample" by analyzing implemented technologies and their urban impacts.Data collection tools involved documentary and theoretical analysis of technologies like biometric systems, AI-based recognition, and smart urban furniture. These technologies are assessed for their visual, emotional, and ethical implications. The validity and reliability of the research are supported by triangulation of scholarly sources and reference to peer-reviewed studies.Data were analyzed through thematic and interpretive techniques, with a focus on identifying key aesthetic dimensions—such as surveillance aesthetics, interactive aesthetics, and discriminatory aesthetics. Results indicate that while smart cities enhance efficiency and personalization, they also risk infringing on privacy, increasing social inequality, and diminishing the spontaneity of urban life.The study concludes that for smart cities to be successful, they must adopt human-centered and ethically sustainable design approaches. Digital systems must be aesthetically integrated in a non-intrusive manner and support transparency, inclusion, and identity preservation within urban spaces.

کلیدواژه ها:

Smart Cities ، Digital Identity ، Urban Aesthetics ، Surveillance Architecture ، Biometric Technologies