Explaining solutions to increase smart citizen participation in the future cities

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Department of Urban Planning, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran

2 Department of Urban Planning, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

Abstract

A B S T R A C T
In today’s world, the speed of changes in various aspects of human life has also influenced the lifestyle and mindset of society. Confronting these changes, with the cooperation and alignment of individuals as key decision-makers in societies, will be achieved. Lack of active citizen participation in urban decision-making and management processes leads to decreased efficiency and effectiveness of urban development projects and failure to achieve sustainability and social welfare goals. In line with realizing approaches such as smart urban management, establishing a two-way relationship between citizens, urban management, and experts will be essential. Designing and decision-making for cities without the participation and intervention of people will be passive and unsuccessful. The smart future cities will require smart citizens, individuals who, by using media literacy and prior awareness, while understanding the importance of individual and collective participation, will take steps to improve the quality of their living environment and community. The presence of citizens in the planning process can lead to more sustainable and achievable decisions and, on the other hand, familiarize urban managers with the needs and expectations of the urban community regarding projects and plans at various scales. The city of tomorrow, like the nature of human society, is a dynamic and evolving concept, and it is working toward improving and enhancing the quality of human life. This research is descriptive-analytical and has used Meta-analysis method to examine the solutions proposed in previous research and identify the most effective solutions. The results of the research indicate that the most important factors affecting the increase of public participation in realizing a smart city are three factors: socio-cultural, institutional-organizational, and livelihood-economic. Therefore, suggestions have been made to increase the participation of smart citizens in achieving the future cities..
Extended Abstract
Introduction
The rapid transformation of various dimensions of contemporary human life—ranging from technology and communication to economics and culture—has significantly reshaped urban environments and the way people live within them. These changes have created new challenges and opportunities for both individuals and decision-makers in society. In particular, the shift toward smart cities highlights the need for collaborative governance models where citizens play an active role in shaping their urban future.
Urban management that operates without involving the public tends to become top-down, rigid, and disconnected from local needs. In contrast, cities that adopt inclusive planning methods often demonstrate higher adaptability and better outcomes in terms of efficiency, satisfaction, and sustainability. In this light, citizen participation is not a complementary element but a core requirement for smart urban development. It enables authorities to gain valuable local insight, co-create solutions, and build trust between institutions and the public.
Smart urban management is about more than just adopting digital infrastructure; it is fundamentally about fostering a smarter relationship between governments and the people they serve. This requires a two-way interaction between citizens, experts, and urban managers. Without such a dialogue, strategies for urban innovation may fail to address real challenges or enjoy public support. Therefore, enabling mechanisms for participation and engagement is vital for the realization of future-oriented urban visions.
 
Methodology
This research is based on a descriptive-analytical approach and applies the meta-analysis method to investigate existing studies and literature on citizen participation in smart cities. By synthesizing findings from prior academic and practical research, the study aims to identify patterns and extract the most impactful strategies for promoting public involvement. Meta-analysis, in this context, is used qualitatively to map out common factors, best practices, and recurring challenges as reported by scholars and practitioners in various regional and urban contexts.
The research process involved collecting and reviewing a broad range of articles, categorizing themes, analyzing qualitative data, and interpreting the connections among key variables. This comprehensive analysis allowed the authors to formulate a clearer picture of the essential conditions that support or hinder active public engagement in smart city planning and management.
 
Results and discussion
The study reveals that the success of smart cities is strongly linked to the level and quality of citizen participation. Active involvement of citizens contributes to better governance, more accurate identification of needs, and stronger implementation of smart initiatives. However, achieving meaningful participation depends on the interplay of several key factors.
First and foremost, social awareness and civic education are vital. When individuals are informed about their rights, roles, and the tools available to influence urban development, they are more likely to engage constructively. Enhancing public understanding of the concept and goals of smart cities helps generate interest and motivation among community members. Furthermore, fostering a culture of dialogue, collaboration, and trust between citizens and local authorities is essential. Citizens who believe that their voices are heard and that their feedback leads to visible outcomes are more inclined to stay involved.
Institutional readiness also plays a decisive role. Participation should not be treated as a symbolic gesture but as a structured and supported process embedded in policy frameworks and organizational culture. Institutions must provide accessible platforms—both digital and physical—for interaction and feedback. Moreover, they should have mechanisms to evaluate, incorporate, and respond to public input in a timely and transparent manner. Resistance within administrative systems, lack of training, or fear of decentralization can undermine participatory efforts, so institutional reform is often a necessary step.
Economic factors are equally influential. People struggling with livelihood challenges are less likely to prioritize civic engagement. In contrast, when individuals experience economic stability and feel empowered, they become more inclined to participate in community affairs. Programs that integrate economic incentives, digital skills training, or employment-related opportunities with participation frameworks can help engage a broader demographic.
Overall, the study suggests that building smart cities is not only a technological endeavor but a social and institutional transformation. Without public involvement, smart solutions may remain underutilized or misaligned with community needs. A people-centered approach that encourages participation at every stage—from planning to implementation—ensures that smart cities are more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable.
 
Conclusion
The research concludes that increasing citizen participation in smart city initiatives requires addressing three interconnected dimensions: social-cultural, institutional-organizational, and livelihood-economic. Solutions must go beyond infrastructure and technology to include awareness-building, capacity development, and inclusive policy-making. Recommendations include enhancing digital literacy, building trust in governance, developing participatory platforms, and integrating participation with socio-economic development programs.
By aligning urban management with public input and collaboration, cities can become smarter in the true sense—more responsive, adaptive, and inclusive. Such an approach not only strengthens urban innovation but also fosters a stronger sense of ownership, responsibility, and belonging among citizens. The future of smart cities, therefore, depends on the extent to which they succeed in activating and empowering their people.
 
Funding
There is no funding support.
 
Authors’ Contribution
The authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved the content of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest none.
 
Conflict of Interest
The authors declared no conflict of interest.
 
Acknowledgments
We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper.

Keywords

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Future City, Indigenous Thought
Volume 1, Issue 1
August 2025
Pages 35-53

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