Abstract: In the context of smart city development, knowledge democracy has become a critical pathway for public participation in urban governance. Compared to knowledge democracy in the West, China’s approach to it carries unique normative implications and practical significance. This study conducts a comparative analysis of two cases from the two dimensions of “technology application” and “participation mechanism”: FindingPlaces Project in Germany and Donghu Public Participation Project in China. For the former, the international case demonstrates a convenient coding process, efficient information-sharing function, and open software foundation and data sources. For the latter, it reflects a gradual, evidence-based, and orderly deliberative process, as well as a targeted and wellreasoned dynamic feedback process. In contrast, the domestic case adheres to the democratic demands for extensive “consultation”, but falls short in promoting the ability of public participation through technology, and lacks robust deliberation and feedback mechanisms. To advance knowledge democracy in Chinese smart city development, it is recommended to develop technology systems that balance coverage and quality of participation, integrate participation mechanisms into smart city evaluation frameworks, establish effective participation mechanisms in the whole process, and promote urban prosperity and social progress with knowledge democracy.

Key Words: Smart cities; Knowledge democracy; Information and communication technology; Public

participation; Urban governance