Arezoo Alikhani
Abstract
This study investigates the transformative potential of digital tools in enhancing citizen participation in sustainable urban development, proposing an analytical framework grounded in Arnstein’s ladder of participation to evaluate e-participation from unawareness to empowerment. The central challenge ...
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This study investigates the transformative potential of digital tools in enhancing citizen participation in sustainable urban development, proposing an analytical framework grounded in Arnstein’s ladder of participation to evaluate e-participation from unawareness to empowerment. The central challenge addressed is transitioning from passive engagement to active collaboration within digital environments while overcoming barriers such as digital inequality and limited technological access. The research question explores how digital tools can amplify citizen involvement across Arnstein’s participation levels. Employing a systematic literature review and qualitative content analysis, the study examines the application of digital tools across five primary levels—information provision, consultation, implicit participation, collaboration, and empowerment—and eight sub-levels. Data were gathered from academic literature, project websites, and social media platforms, with qualitative content analysis conducted using MAXQDA software to systematically code and categorize thematic patterns. Findings reveal that tools designed for information provision enhance awareness but remain superficial, while those facilitating consultation enable engagement yet often yield passive outcomes. Tools supporting implicit participation foster trust through responsiveness, and those promoting collaboration and empowerment transform citizens into active partners in urban governance. However, achieving full citizen control remains elusive due to persistent challenges, including digital divides, inadequate digital literacy, and insufficient commitment from urban authorities. The study advocates for comprehensive digital literacy programs, the development of interactive and user-centric platforms, and the integration of digital and traditional participation methods to bolster engagement. This research contributes a robust theoretical framework for analyzing digital participation and provides actionable recommendations for policymakers to foster inclusive, sustainable, and participatory urban environments. By enriching the discourse on e-participation, it underscores the critical need to address social, technological, and institutional barriers to empower citizens in shaping their urban futures.
