Planning Smart(er) Cities: The Promise of Civic Technology

Civic technology is an emerging field that typically leverages open data—and sometimes open source software—to address challenges that may be invisible to or neglected by government in a collaborative, problem-centered way. This article describes the goals and values of civic technology, identifies its raw materials and products, and outlines its most visible modalities. We use key informant interviews with stakeholders in Chicago’s robust civic technology ecosystem and a brief discussion of the Array of Things (AoT) project to evaluate claims that civic technology can be an effective mechanism for democratizing the Smart City. We conclude with recommendations for urban planners interested in engaging with civic technology to enhance quality of life and further social equity.