Young People’s Perceptions towards the Planning of the Future ‘Smart City’ in Europe: Teenagers’ Voices and Participation in Birmingham, Manchester, Valencia and Sofia

Shtebunaev, Simeon (2026) Young People’s Perceptions towards the Planning of the Future ‘Smart City’ in Europe: Teenagers’ Voices and Participation in Birmingham, Manchester, Valencia and Sofia. Doctoral thesis, Birmingham City University.

Preview

Text Simeon Shtebunaev PhD Thesis_Final Version_Final Award March 2026.pdf - Accepted Version Download (13MB)

Abstract

The rapid advancement of technology in the twenty-first century has profoundly reshaped the structure and operation of society. While digital innovation has broken down many barriers to citizen interaction, it has simultaneously created new forms of exclusion - particularly in the ownership, governance, and interpretation of data. The concept of human-centred smart cities has gained prominence, providing fresh opportunities for previously marginalised groups to participate in urban life. However, the risk of exclusion remains high when technology-driven systems fail to represent all voices.

This doctoral thesis investigates one such group - teenagers in late adolescence -who are often overlooked as stakeholders in urban planning processes. Addressing a notable gap in participatory planning literature, the study foregrounds bottom-up perspectives, exploring the perceptions, awareness, and priorities of young people regarding urban planning and future city visions.

Focusing on teenagers in Bulgaria, Spain, and the UK, the research examines their understanding of, and ability to engage with, the planning process, as well as their aspirations for the future ‘smart city’. An inductive, multi-case study approach was employed, centring on Birmingham, Manchester, Valencia, and Sofia. Across these cities, 121 teenagers aged 15 - 19 were interviewed during a period spanning the COVID-19 pandemic, which necessitated a shift between in-person and digital research methodologies.

The findings reveal widespread exclusion, a lack of awareness, and limited understanding of urban planning among teenagers. The research identifies both context-specific barriers and enablers to participation, highlighting the diverse experiences of young people in different urban settings. While short-term priorities for city improvement vary, there is a remarkable convergence of long-term priorities for smart cities across national contexts. Strong themes of humanism, justice, and equality emerge from the data, challenging technocratic approaches to city-making. Teenagers generally support the vision of smart cities but offer nuanced perspectives on fairness, implementation, and inclusion.

The thesis makes several key contributions: it reframes and contextualises Hart’s Ladder of Participation (1992) for contemporary urban planning and introduces the notion of ‘situated participation’ exploring learning and participation as two coins of a process of empowerment of citizens. It introduces the ‘ladder of situated participation’ as a tool of negotiating intergenerational participation in urban planning. It offers actionable recommendations for inclusive policy and practice especially concerning methodology, engagement, and youth inclusion and articulates a critical teenage perspective on smart cities. The research introduces new domains for interrogating technologically driven urban futures, advocating for more equitable and participatory approaches to future city planning.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Dates:	Date Event 4 March 2026 Accepted
Uncontrolled Keywords:	young people, teenagers, urban planning, youth participation, situated participation, ladder of participation, smart cities, future cities
Subjects:	CAH13 - architecture, building and planning > CAH13-01 - architecture, building and planning > CAH13-01-04 - planning (urban, rural and regional) CAH15 - social sciences > CAH15-01 - sociology, social policy and anthropology > CAH15-01-01 - social sciences (non-specific)
Divisions:	Architecture, Built Environment, Computing and Engineering > Architecture and Built Environment > Built Environment Doctoral Research College > Doctoral Theses Collection
Depositing User:	Louise Muldowney
Date Deposited:	13 Apr 2026 13:27
Last Modified:	13 Apr 2026 13:27
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/16967

Actions (login required)

View Item