Empowering Urban Transformation: The Role of Citizen Observatories in Inclusive and Data-Driven Governance

This paper explores how Citizen Observatories can foster participatory, data-driven governance by actively engaging local communities in co-creating urban knowledge and contributing to evidence-based decisionmaking processes. Within the EU-funded Innovation Action GREENGAGE (HORIZON 2020), five innovative Citizen Observatories have been established as dynamic ecosystems where technology, citizen science, and policy intersect. These ecosystems empower local communities through interactive sociotechnical methodologies and tools, enabling them to monitor environmental conditions, share insights, and collaboratively develop solutions to pressing urban issues. Hence, the creation of Citizen Observatories requires a strong focus on two dimensions: social (socio-economic and political context) and technical (digital tools and platforms). By bringing together citizens, scientists, policymakers, and other stakeholders, GREENGAGE harnesses collective knowledge and expertise to co-create sustainable solutions. In GREENGAGE, Citizen Observatories are located in diverse geographical and social contexts: Bristol (UK), North Brabant (NL), Copenhagen (DK), Turano Valley (IT) and Gerace (IT). This paper highlights initial implementations carried out in these Observatories where local communities, further supported by the consortium members, were provided with skills for collecting valuable, community-sourced data from their neighborhoods using the provided tools. Citizens are involved as Citizen Observers throughout the onboarding, training, and implementation phases, contributing to environmental monitoring and urban planning. The data that is currently being gathered will help directly address local urban challenges that are identified as the most critical by these communities, helping to resolve issues that resonate with local needs and concerns. Furthermore, the paper also illustrates how such initiatives have the potential to not only contribute to healthier, more sustainable urban environments but also foster a culture of participatory governance, where citizens are co-creators of the cities they inhabit.