Citizen E-Participation in Urban Mobility Plans: The Case of Spanish Mid-Sized Cities

The practicality and fairness of citizen e-participation initiatives are debated in the literature on planning studies, urban sociology, public policy and many other scientific areas related to cities’ governance. Many factors can influence the success and engagement of the citizens in public e-participation projects to formulate public policy. This article explores how four factors – method of participation, actors involved, challenges responsiveness and technology level - can impact the implementation of these projects. Over the past decade, based on European, national, and regional legal frameworks, several citizen e-participation initiatives have been implemented in mid-sized Spanish cities, transitioning to more innovative governance models. This phenomenon established a network of actors to support the goals of this participatory model, and stakeholders have played a central role in shaping the dynamics of citizen e-participation. Therefore, by examining and assessing the urban mobility plans from Spanish municipalities included in the Spanish Network of Smart Cities through a mixed-method approach, this paper aims to track patterns that will help categorise different models of citizen e-participation and understand the success or challenging features behind these initiatives. The conclusion of this article draws recommendations for future research paths on the features necessary to achieve successful citizen e-participation in urban environments.