Citizens in the 'Smart City': Participation, Co-production, Governance

This book examines the 'smart city discourse' in terms of governance initiatives, citizen participation, and policies that prioritize the active participation of citizens in developing technological solutions to urban problems. It advocates for new socio-technological systems of governance that monitor citizen power, promote trust-building strategies, and enhance social capital. It suggests a 'reloaded smart city' that fosters citizenship as a new set of civil and social rights, with citizens as active participants and political power holders. The book questions the utility of the 'smart city project' for radical municipalism and proposes a more democratic and technologically sufficient city. It will appeal to researchers, policymakers, and professionals in urban studies, urban planning, urban geography, computing and technology studies, urban politics, and urban economics.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 174 pages
Publication date: 29 April 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The book delves into the realm of 'smart city discourse' by critically examining governance initiatives, citizen participation, and policies that prioritize the active role of citizens as recipients and co-producers of technological solutions to urban problems. The current surge of interest in smart cities and digital technologies has ignited debates in citizenship, urban studies, and planning regarding the rights and ethical dimensions of participation. It has also sparked discussions about the forms of governance these technologies actively foster. This comprehensive book presents innovative socio-technological systems of governance that monitor citizen power, foster trust-building strategies, and promote social capital. It advocates for a city founded on normative ideals rather than neoliberal ones, calling for new data economics and digital rights that empower citizens. The book adopts a normative approach, arguing that a 'reloaded smart city' should prioritize citizenship as a new set of civil and social rights, with citizens as active subjects endowed with meaningful forms of participation and political power. Ultimately, the book challenges the effectiveness of the 'smart city project' for fostering radical municipalism, proposing a technological solution that is both sufficient and more democratic, resulting in an 'intelligent city in fact.'

This book offers valuable insights into smart city initiatives by safeguarding emerging digital citizenship rights and the socio-accrued benefits. It will captivate the interest of researchers, policymakers, and professionals in urban studies, urban planning, urban geography, computing and technology studies, urban politics, and urban economics.

Weight: 320g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367559953