Digital City and the Objectives of Sustainable Development

In 2015, the United Nations (UN) with 193 countries approved the 2030 Agenda with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for a better world. Goal 11 stands out, which aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable with the digital interface. Are cities really digital and sustainable or unsustainable in the social, environmental, economic, cultural, and governance spheres? This investigation’s main objective is to analyze the different perceptions of citizens of a city in the interior of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and another in the interior of the northern region of Portugal, Guimarães, comparing these different views and seeking to discuss these issues. A survey was carried out with citizens from both cities, with a convenience sample. A digital city must be a democratic space for housing, work, leisure, study, health, safety, innovation, food, shopping, urban mobility, and socialization between people, in an inclusive way and with quality of life for everyone. In this context, the International Organization for Standardization’s indicators for digital cities are essential to evaluate the levels of adherence in the mentioned aspects and to develop planning to define effective public policies to achieve digital cities and the quality of life of citizens. This study contributes by contrasting citizens’ perception on the topic with previous studies, in order to bring the contribution of science to a digital and sustainable society.