Smart City Data Governance and Urban AI Infrastructures: Comparative Socio-TechnicalTransformation in Barcelona and Seoul, 2020–2026

Abstract

This article examines smart city data governance and urban artificial intelligence infrastructures through a
comparative analysis of Barcelona and Seoul between 2020 and 2026. The study argues that smart city
transformation is no longer primarily a question of sensor deployment, urban platforms, or digital service
efficiency, but a broader computational governance challenge involving data stewardship, algorithmic
accountability, institutional coordination, civic trust, and socio-economic inclusion. Barcelona and Seoul
were selected because both are internationally recognized smart city systems, yet they represent different
governance models. Barcelona emphasizes digital rights, data commons, participatory governance, and
municipal technological sovereignty. Seoul emphasizes high-capacity digital administration, platform
integration, AI-enabled service optimization, and metropolitan-scale infrastructure coordination. The
findings indicate that smart city outcomes depend on how urban data architectures are governed across public
agencies, private vendors, civic actors, and regulatory institutions. Barcelona demonstrates the democratic
value of rights-based urban data governance, while Seoul demonstrates the operational value of integrated
AI-enabled urban systems. This article contributes to computing and information sciences by conceptualizing
smart city governance as a socio-technical system linking urban computing architecture, institutional
implementation, public accountability, innovation ecosystems, and inclusive urban transformation.