Smart cities, smart governance: the role of communication and social participation in building cities of the future

Purpose:The article aims to determine the role of communication and social participation in implementing the concept of smart governance in smart cities.The article considers how modern communication tools and citizen engagement strategies affect the efficiency of urban governance, sustainability and residents' trust in public institutions.Design/methodology/approach: This article is based on a review of secondary sources, including academic literature and reports, and case study analysis of selected cities implementing smart governance principles.The research approach is qualitative and interpretative, focused on identifying good practices, main barriers and success factors Finding: It can be seen that cities that integrate digital communication tools with openness and co-decision policies achieve a higher level of resident engagement and greater managerial efficiency.An important factor of success is not only technology, but also the organizational culture of local governments, the ability to dialogue and include groups at risk of digital exclusion.Social participation strengthens trust in the authorities and contributes to the greater durability of urban projects.Projects that are based on data improve the quality of life.Some challenges were also indicated, including the risk of digital exclusion of certain social groups or a lack of proper communication. Research limitations/implications:The article is based on a limited number of examples and secondary literature.The results are not representative, but allow for drawing conclusions at the exploratory level.Future research could include comparative and quantitative analyses, taking into account the perception of residents and the effectiveness of specific e-participation tools. Practical implications:The results of the study can support data-based management in cities, broad communication and cooperation with residents.The article can be particularly useful for local governments.Social implications: Communication and social participation have the potential to increase social capital, counteract digital exclusion and improve the quality of life of residents.This can contribute to building more just and sustainable urban communities.Originality/value: The article emphasizes the current perspective on the issue of smart governance and smart cities, integrating the theoretical approach with practical observations from selected cities.It is mainly addressed to academic circles and local government administration.