Cities for New Growth and Socio-Economic Dynamism?: The Case of Smart Cities and RDI-Driven Participative Democracy and Governance

The article argues for a strategic role for cities and regions in renewing the social and economic foundations of societies, locally and globally. The cities offer an opportunity to develop - through their own strategic RDI - new human-centric social and economic dynamism for the wellbeing of human beings and the Nature. The article elaborates on sources of growth, value and wealth creation that are based on strategic RDI of cities and city-regions with firms, public agencies and citizens. This RDI may bring about new social and economic activities and means of solving major societal challenges. The article discusses (1) how to design for transformative RDI, (2) what are the forms of participative RDI and their impact on participative democracy, (3) what are the new mechanisms of governance that reflect the central role of cities in societal renewal, and (4) what is the impact of cities on overall entrepreneurial spirit, economic efficiency, and wealth creation?