Abstract

Urban governance has emerged as one of the most significant areas of public policy and political inquiry in the twenty-first century due to rapid urbanization technological advancement and increasing demands for sustainable development. The concept of Smart Cities has gained prominence as governments seek innovative solutions to address urban challenges such as infrastructure deficits environmental degradation traffic congestion and service delivery inefficiencies. In India the Smart Cities Mission represents a transformative approach aimed at integrating technology with governance to improve urban living standards. However the success of Smart City initiatives depends not only on technological innovation but also on effective governance structures citizen participation institutional accountability and political commitment. This study explores urban governance and Smart City development from a political science perspective emphasizing the role of democratic institutions public particip