Smart city governance: assessing modes of active citizen engagement

This paper discusses how to govern smart cities that nurture and promote citizen engagement. By reviewing the emergent literature on the topic and rooting in a pluralistic – a descriptive and normative orientation, we identify three novel governance models: embedded, blended and networked. Our review indicates that the depth of citizen engagement varies between models based on the roles played by closely aligned resourceful actors. A collaborative environment driven by, for and with citizens seeks to build smart cities embedded in local realities. Drawing on examples from smart cities across the globe, we offer policy suggestions for building futuristic citizen-engaged smart cities.