Citizen Perception in Smart Cities: A Systematic Review

Abstract: This systematic review examines how citizen perception and its manifestations have been investigated and operationalized in smart city research. Although citizens are increasingly recognized as central to smart urban development, the literature remains dispersed across disciplines, constructs, methods, and practical objectives. Following the PRISMA 2020 statement, 450 records were identified, and 75 peer-reviewed journal articles published through December 2025 were included. The studies were analyzed through an integrative framework comprising Research Focus, Methodological Operationalization, and Research Contributions. The results show that Social Sciences and Urban Studies dominate the disciplinary profile, while Participatory Governance and Citizen Involvement constitute the main functional and behavioral orientations. The distribution of perception-relatedconstructs reveals substantial conceptual fragmentation, with a large number occurring only once. Survey research and multiple-method designs predominate, and most contributions take the form of explanatory models or assessment frameworks directed toward governance, technology, and urbanism. The review identifies an asymmetry between the importance attributed to citizens and the limited attention devoted to their substantive influence, rights, and lived experiences. It proposes an analytical structure that clarifies how citizen perceptions are formed and translated into broader urban outcomes. These findings provide a basis for advancing more coherent and inclusive approaches to citizen-centered smart city research and practice.To cite this article: Borba, E. H. de, & Tezza, R. (2026). Citizen perception in smart cities: a systematic review. Theoretical and Empirical Researches in Urban Management, 21(4), 56–74. https://um.ase.ro/v21i4/3.pdf https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.34892868