Quarterly Journals of Urban and Regional Development Planning

Contextual smart governance, a new approach to urban governance

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

sahar zamani nezhad 1
Reza Vaezi 2
Gholamreza Kazemian Shirvan 1
Hossein Aslipour 1

1 Department of Public Administrative, Faculty of Management and Accounting, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Public Administrative, Faculty of Management and Accounting, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22054/urdp.2025.85462.1703
Abstract
Urban governance approaches are undergoing significant transformation. Due to the increasing role of technology in urban functions, smart governance is recognized as an appropriate solution to address urban issues. However, an exclusively focus on smartization has not delivered the anticipated outcomes. Insufficient consideration of contextual factors and the complex interplays between technology and social structures along with inadequacies in identifying the true needs and priorities of the city content has often resulted in the failure of even the most advanced technological implementations, leading to wasted investment and more public dissatisfaction. The present study seeks to identify the structural components of contextual smart urban governance as an emerging concept in the domain of urban management. Employing a meta-synthesis methodology, this research reviews scholarly literature from credible domestic and international sources published between 2010 and 2024.The findings resulted in the identification of three overarching themes (context, components and purpose) and eleven organizing themes, namely political context, spatial context, social context, institutional structures, technological aspects, collaboration and participation, leadership and competencies, human capital, and urban issues.

Keywords

Smart governance
urban governance
contextualism
Subjects

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