As the digital revolution enables initiatives like smart cities and e-governance, safeguarding methods of democratic influence is a core strategic mandate for city governments wishing to politically legitimize technology. Pursuant to this issue, civic tech is distinguishable from smart cities and other urban technology programs in its focus on citizen empowerment. For this reason, it has the potential to go beyond the typical promises of efficiency gains – as peddled by standard technologies – and transform how citizens engage with policymakers.

https://www.thechicagocouncil.org/publication/unlocking-potential-civic-technology

PDF available at: https://www.thechicagocouncil.org/sites/default/files/report_unlocking-potential-civic-technology_20190507.pdf

Hartley, Kris. (2019). “Unlocking the Potential of Civic Technology.” The Chicago Council on Global Affairs.