The affective turn in sociological research on engagement in a “smart city”

Abstract

The study of emotions as a significant aspect of urban life is made possible by the affective turn in sociology. In sociology, the study of emotions is a relatively young but quickly growing area that looks at how emotions affect social interaction and behavior in urban settings. The article shows that socially conscious initiatives, including «smart cities», lose their efficacy when the emotional component is neglected in citizen engagement research. Empirical research (N = 67 experts) revealed institutional constraints (bureaucracy, high power distance) that limit the anthropocentricity of management decisions, as well as inconsistencies between the affective and rational dimensions of engagement. The findings suggest the necessity of incorporating sociological approaches to emotions into management cycles, such as gamification of participation and sensory audit of the urban environment. The author makes suggestions for incorporating the emotional element into procedures used in public administration. The scientific novelty of the work lies in its implementation of techniques from the sociology of emotions to the research of urban behaviors and offering suggestions for addressing institutional dysfunctions. In the context of “smart city” initiatives, the study’s findings can be applied to improve communication between citizens, specialists, and authorities.