Collaborative governance in smart cities: transparency, public trust, and lessons from Central and Eastern Europe
Collaborative governance in smart cities: transparency, public trust, and lessons from Central and Eastern Europe

Summary/Abstract: This article examines how collaborative governance enhances transparency and public trust in smart cities, focusing on Central and Eastern Europe. The research highlights the roles of citizen engagement and private sector participation in fostering governmental accountability and improved governance outcomes. Prior studies emphasize advanced technologies and public service provision but overlook collaborative governance's influence on public trust. Using a qualitative approach, this study analyses case studies, including Tallinn (Estonia) and Cluj-Napoca (Romania), to evaluate practices promoting transparency and trust. Methods include analysing official documents, public reports, and digital engagement platforms. Findings reveal that smart cities with collaborative governance achieve higher public trust through transparency and interactive digital tools enabling real-time participation. Best practices demonstrate enhanced citizen access to information and stronger citizen-administration relationships. For policymakers, this study offers a strategic framework for integrating collaborative governance into smart city initiatives, emphasizing transparency, participation, and accountability.

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