E-Participation - A Key Factor In Developing Smart Cities

• Author: Catalin Vrabie, Andreea-Maria Tîrziu
• Pages: 135-140

The European Citizen and Public Administration

135

The European Citizen and Public Administration

E-participation – a Key Factor in Developing Smart Cities

Cătălin I. Vrabie1, Andreea-Maria Tîrziu2

Abstract: A main feature of smart cities is the use of ICT in all aspects of city life. In th is regard, e-

participation is a core element in the process of developing communities “ruled” by socially inclusive

governance. Objectives: This paper aims to present a framework on how e-participation can be inclusive and

how it might bring citizens closer to the idea of living in a smart city, by giving European reality examples

regarding this co ncept. Prior Work: It shows the literature that concentrates on e-participation, focusing on

citizens’ needs and requirements. Approach: The main methods employed for this research were some case

studies on European examples of e-participation. Results: This type of participatory relationship is starting to

transform all public institutions, changing their culture – from one control-based to one performance-

centered. ICT is starting to play an important role in smart cities’ evolution and it brings an improvement in

the government-citizens relationship. Value: We have identified that although technology is a main e-

participation element, there should also be considered the capability and willingness of citizens and public

institutions to collaborate, not only by electronic means, but also through traditional ways of participating in

the process of taking decisions.

Keywords: e-participation; smart cities; inclusive relationship; public sector; technological development

1. Introduction

A smart city should be understood far beyond the use of ICT, it being more than just a simple city

which makes use of modern digital technologies. We should therefore understand that giving citizens

the possibility to participate online in the city’s managing activities is an important element of what

makes a city smart, not only from a technological point of view, but mainly because this type of city

listens and tries to meet the needs and requirements of the individuals that are living in that particular

place. In this paper, though, we will mainly focus on the technological development which has led, in

the last decades, to changes in all aspects of city life. Information and Communication Technologies

have transformed even the way individuals understand democracy. Now, we also speak about e -

democracy which, through its main pilots, e-participation is also included. This refers to citizen

participation and the appropriate technology that supports it. The use of ICT in this context allows

more citizens to be participatory actors in the democratic debate, in an online environment, thus the

contributions having the possibility to become deeper and wider (Macintosh, 2004, pp. 1-2).

1Senior Lecturer, PhD, National University of Political Studies and Public Administration, Bucharest, Romania,

+40723.689.314, Corresponding author: cataloi@yahoo.com.

2 PhD Candidate, National University of Political S tudies and Public Administration, Bucharest, Romania, +40723.216.730,

E-mail: tirziu.andreea@yahoo.com.