The digital transformation has changed expectations about governments, leading to the emergence of new opportunities for participation through ICTs. In this chapter we firstly address the notion of digital participation, defined as the engagement and interaction between citizens and state actors through electronic means in decision-making and/or policy or service implementation. Secondly, we explore its application at local level in Spain, one of the leading countries in developing this digital transformation. We conduct a qualitative analysis of five initiatives focused on the local level, namely the platform Decide Madrid (2015–), the National Plan of Smart Cities (2015–2017), the National Plan of Smart Territories (2017–2023), the Smart Rural 21 project in the village of Ansó (2019–2022), and the Smart Rural initiative launched by the Basque Country (2020–2022). The analysis shows how supralocal governments are more oriented towards providing digital infrastructure and fostering the engagement of economic stakeholders to enhance service provision and business, while local-led initiatives are more aimed to engage citizens in decision-making. Besides, the cases provide an overview of how digital transformation impacts in local contexts, uncovering its promises and pitfalls in the case of Spain.

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Promises and Pitfalls of Digital Participation in Spain

  • Moneyba González-Medina

摘要

The digital transformation has changed expectations about governments, leading to the emergence of new opportunities for participation through ICTs. In this chapter we firstly address the notion of digital participation, defined as the engagement and interaction between citizens and state actors through electronic means in decision-making and/or policy or service implementation. Secondly, we explore its application at local level in Spain, one of the leading countries in developing this digital transformation. We conduct a qualitative analysis of five initiatives focused on the local level, namely the platform Decide Madrid (2015–), the National Plan of Smart Cities (2015–2017), the National Plan of Smart Territories (2017–2023), the Smart Rural 21 project in the village of Ansó (2019–2022), and the Smart Rural initiative launched by the Basque Country (2020–2022). The analysis shows how supralocal governments are more oriented towards providing digital infrastructure and fostering the engagement of economic stakeholders to enhance service provision and business, while local-led initiatives are more aimed to engage citizens in decision-making. Besides, the cases provide an overview of how digital transformation impacts in local contexts, uncovering its promises and pitfalls in the case of Spain.