Smart Cities in the European Union: Policies, Practices, and the Case of Barcelona

As cities navigate challenges related to climate change, digital transformation, and inclusive governance, the smart city paradigm has become a key framework for fostering innovation, sustainability, and citizen participation. In this context, the Europeanization process has significantly shaped urban policies and governance structures, as the European Union (EU) plays a crucial role by providing strategic frameworks, financial resources, and governance models that influence local policymaking. However, despite extensive research on multi-level governance and smart cities, the Europeanization of urban governance in smart cities remains underexplored. This dissertation examines the Europeanization of smart urban governance, using Barcelona as a case study. It explores how EU smart city policies, projects, and governance principles have influenced the city’s governance structures and decision-making. The research analyzes the governance models, institutional structures, and EU engagement strategies of three municipal administrations: Xavier Trias (2011–2015), Ada Colau (2015–2023), and Jaume Collboni (2023–present). Additionally, it explores Barcelona’s participation in the EU-funded NetZeroCities project as an example of Europeanized multi-level governance, illustrating how EU frameworks facilitate collaboration among local, regional, and supranational actors. By bridging the gap between Europeanization studies and smart city governance, this research enhances the understanding of the EU’s role in urban transformation and the governance mechanisms that shape smart city development in Europe.