The short answer is yes, but with important caveats. Self-watering urban planter boxes can work for succulents when the system is treated as a controlled backup rather than a constant water supply. Most self-watering planters are designed to keep soil evenly moist, and that is the opposite of what many succulents want. Succulents prefer a wet-then-dry cycle, with oxygen around the roots between waterings. If the reservoir stays full, the potting mix stays damp, and root rot becomes likely.
The best results come from adapting the planter to succulents, not adapting succulents to a wet planter. Use a gritty, fast-draining mix with plenty of pumice, perlite, or coarse sand, and avoid peat-heavy compost that holds water like a sponge. Choose a shallow reservoir or one with a reliable overflow, and keep the water level low. Let the reservoir run dry for several days before refilling. In rainy weather, cover the planter or shut off the reservoir so rainwater cannot keep the roots soggy.
Wicking matters, too. A wick that stays in constant contact with a saturated reservoir can move too much water into the root zone. Check the moisture by feel before refilling, not just by looking at the indicator. In hot urban settings, planter boxes can dry quickly, but that does not mean the reservoir should always be full. In cool or humid seasons, succulents need much less water. Small, drought-tolerant types such as sedum and sempervivum are usually safer than water-sensitive succulents. If you are unsure, use the self-watering box as a seasonal helper or choose a free-draining planter with occasional deep watering. With gritty soil, careful reservoir management, and good airflow, self-watering urban planter boxes can work for succulents, but they are not a set-and-forget system.