Collaborative Governance, Digital Innovation and Co-Creation Innovation in Smart Cities

Dear Colleagues,

Smart cities are entering a new phase of intelligent governance characterized by the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain technologies; therefore, contemporary urban governance is moving beyond traditional e-government and digital service delivery, and increasingly relies on data-driven decision-making, automated compliance systems, secure distributed ledgers, and predictive analytics.

Consequently, this Special Issue focuses on the integration of AI as a transformative governance architecture for sustainable cities, and explores how these technologies reshape institutional design, administrative efficiency, transparency mechanisms, and citizen–state relationships. Contributions may examine comparative case studies, digital public infrastructure, smart contracts in urban administration, algorithmic accountability, regulatory adaptation, and measurable governance outcomes.

Building on the emerging literature on digital government evolution and intelligent governance, this Special Issue aims to bridge fragmented debates between smart city technologies and public administration theory. We particularly welcome empirical research demonstrating performance impacts, policy integration strategies, and implementation models in diverse urban contexts.

By integrating technological innovation with institutional transformation perspectives, this Special Issue advances understanding of how cities can achieve efficiency, transparency, and sustainability through intelligent governance systems.

Dr. Diego Navarra
Prof. Dr. Walter T. de Vries
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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