Smart City Governance for All: Citizen Participation, Transparency, and Social Equity

سیامک خجسته منش¹

1) نویسنده

محل انتشار : اولین همایش حکمرانی مدیریت و برنامه ریزی شهری(https://gump.maragheh.ac.ir/)
چکیده :
Smart cities promise efficient urban management, improved services, and enhanced quality of life through technology and data-driven solutions. However, these initiatives often fail to address the needs of marginalized communities, leading to mistrust, exclusion, and inequitable outcomes. This paper explores the role of citizen participation, transparency, and social equity in smart city governance, focusing on low-income and minority populations. Using qualitative data from focus groups and interviews, we analyze residents’ experiences with public transportation services, city data collection, and digital tools. Findings reveal barriers to participation, concerns over data misuse, and the mismatch between technological solutions and residents’ daily needs. The paper argues that truly inclusive smart cities require not only technological innovation but also participatory governance, open access to data, and policies designed with social equity in mind. Recommendations are provided for policymakers, urban planners, and city officials to foster trust, enhance transparency, and ensure that smart city initiatives benefit all residents equitably.
کلمات کلیدی : smart cities urban governance digital inclusion community engagement trust equity