Designing a Model of Open Urban Governance in Global Smart Cities Using a Meta-Synthesis Approach

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD Candidate, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran.

2 Professor of Management, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran.

Abstract

Abstract
In recent years, smart cities have emerged as a comprehensive and effective approach to urban development and addressing complex urban challenges, gaining significant attention from researchers. In this context, smart governance and open urban governance have been introduced as two key models leveraging information and communication technology (ICT) for urban management and enhancing citizen participation. This study aims to examine the role of open urban governance in achieving the objectives of smart cities and to propose a model in this regard using the meta-synthesis method.
Introduction
Today, smart cities have emerged as a holistic strategy and a potential approach for effective urban development, attracting significant attention worldwide. This concept offers solutions to a wide range of urban challenges, including population growth, efficient land use, infrastructure development, traffic congestion, and governance issues (Khoa et al., 2021). In recent years, the rapid advancement of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has played a crucial role in driving smart city initiatives. Since 2005, the integration of ICT has expanded across various urban domains, including infrastructure, energy and water supply, and social security (Townsend, 2013; Sun et al., 2016). However, the realization of a smart city is not solely dependent on technology adoption; rather, it necessitates a governance model capable of leveraging technological capacities in an intelligent and coordinated manner (Tan & Taeihagh, 2020). In this context, the concept of "smart governance" has been introduced, integrating ICT-based tools with participatory governance to enhance decision-making and urban management. Smart governance facilitates a transition in social governance through technological advancements, aiming to create inclusive, integrated, and sustainable smart cities (Liu et al., 2022). In parallel with smart governance, "open governance" has emerged as a transformative approach emphasizing transparency, citizen engagement, and open data, playing a critical role in enhancing accountability and urban efficiency (Janssen & Estevez, 2013). By enabling widespread citizen participation in decision-making processes, open governance fosters public trust and facilitates collaborative solutions for urban challenges (Sáez Martín et al., 2020). This approach lays the foundation for "open urban governance," which specifically focuses on managing urban affairs through open data and participatory platforms (Meijer et al., 2019). In this model, open urban data, digital tools, and participatory platforms empower citizens to directly engage in urban planning, policymaking, and service delivery (Jansson et al., 2020). Nevertheless, integrating smart governance and open urban governance within smart cities presents several challenges, including data security concerns, privacy issues, and technical constraints. Additionally, the absence of a comprehensive and cohesive framework for implementing this governance model has resulted in fragmented and inconsistent adoption across different cities. Therefore, designing a unified framework for implementing open urban governance in smart cities—one that strengthens citizen participation while upholding the principles of smart governance—is imperative. Consequently, this study, utilizing a meta-synthesis approach, seeks to develop a comprehensive model for open urban governance in smart cities to address existing challenges and maximize the potential benefits of this governance paradigm.
Case study
The statistical population of this study included all articles published in the international databases Scopus, Emerald, and Web of Science from 2014 to 2024. Relevant documents were identified based on specified keywords and reviewed, with the most relevant studies selected using purposeful sampling.
Materials and Methods
This research is applied in nature and exploratory in essence, employing the meta-synthesis method for data collection. The study utilized the seven-step method of Sandelowski and Barroso for conducting the meta-synthesis. A systematic review of all relevant sources on open urban governance and its critical components was performed, covering 1,196 articles, books, and theses from reputable international scientific databases.
 
Discussion and Results
A review of the existing literature on open urban governance reveals that, despite numerous studies in this area, only partial aspects and indicators of open urban governance and smart governance have been addressed. None of the existing studies has comprehensively examined the dimensions and components of open urban governance. This study systematically reviewed all foreign research conducted on open urban governance from 2014 to 2024 and identified the influential factors in open urban governance. After assessing their relevance to the research topic, primary sources were filtered, and 41 studies were selected for concept extraction and coding. In total, based on the results of the systematic review and meta-synthesis approach, seven final codes (transparency and accountability, active and inclusive participation, social justice and sustainability, innovation and digital transformation, security and risk management, strategic vision, and efficiency) and 26 secondary codes were extracted. These secondary codes included transparency and data accessibility, data-driven governance, accountability in governance, public trust, open innovation, co-creation and multilateral collaboration, inclusive virtual social networks, crowdsourcing, stakeholder interaction and collaboration, internationalization, sustainable urban development, social justice and inequality reduction, rule of law, smart transportation, mobile government and digital public organizations, smart living and smart citizens, development of online and digital businesses, the fourth industrial revolution and data-driven cities, data security and privacy, sustainable governance, multilayered governance, risk and crisis management, holistic management and comprehensive development, resource optimization, e-public services, and remote work.
Conclusion
The results indicate that the majority of studies focused on transparency and data accessibility, open innovation, co-creation and multilateral collaboration, sustainable urban development, social justice, rule of law, accountability in governance, and stakeholder interaction and collaboration. The least attention was given to multilayered governance, resource optimization, remote work, and e-public services. The reliability and quality control of the findings were measured using the kappa coefficient method, with the calculated kappa index for open urban governance factors showing a high level of agreement. The assessment of actions taken by governmental and executive bodies for establishing open urban governance requires the precise identification of key components and sub-components for evaluating the various dimensions of this approach. By providing an evaluation model for open urban governance through the meta-synthesis method, including its dimensions and components, governments and executive bodies can ensure the effectiveness of actions taken in the path of open urban governance and identify areas for improvement. This model, as a practical tool, enables urban managers to monitor organizational performance, develop strategies for enhancing transparency, improve citizen interactions, and promote data sharing. Consequently, with the introduction of this integrated model, the precise evaluation and continuous improvement of open urban governance are facilitated.

Keywords

References

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Public Management Researches
Volume 18, Issue 69 - Serial Number 69
September 2025
Pages 31-64

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