Researcher: Bruno Mendonca, PhD Candidate; Geography, Planning and Environment (Concordia University)

Supervisor: Dr. Silvano De la Llata, Associate Professor, Geography, Planning and Environment (Concordia University)

Description:
Open-source platforms and mobile applications are now widely available and have rapidly reframed the ways we share, collect, produce, and manage information in all spheres of our society. This multifaceted development of digital technology has given rise to a dichotomy in the smart city paradigm: on one hand, there is a drive towards efficiency and innovation shaped by market actors and private corporations, often at the expense of democratic ideals and social justice; on the other hand, grassroots initiatives are harnessing digital tools to advocate for social change and challenge entrenched inequalities. 

The ongoing debate about the potential of digital technology to support a more democratic, equitable, and progressive urban future has been more relevant than ever, particularly in the context of Latin America's rapid urbanization and the need for innovative solutions to tackle growing urban challenges. Drawing from theories of open-source cities, global economies, e-democracy, and platform urbanism, this study aims to explore to what extent these emerging virtual assemblages have shaped novel governance structures, stakeholder dialogue, and participatory processes in Brazil.