From policy to platforms: Analysing public engagement with Singapore's smart nation initiative through social media discourse

Abstract

This study examines the complex dynamics of smart city initiatives in Singapore through social media discourse, focusing specifically on the period following the Smart Nation program launch in 2014. Employing a mixed-methods approach combining computational text analysis with qualitative interpretation, we analyse Twitter and TikTok content to uncover how digital platforms mediate public engagement with urban technological initiatives. Our analysis reveals three key findings: First, public engagement with smart city initiatives shows platform-specific patterns that align with key Smart Nation policy implementations, demonstrating the increasing importance of platform-specific communication strategies in urban governance. Second, sentiment analysis, validated against smart city satisfaction indices, indicates generally positive public reception but reveals important variations across different demographic groups and policy areas. Third, social network analysis exposes a centralised communication structure dominated by institutional voices, raising questions about inclusive participation in smart city development. These findings extend platform urbanism theory by demonstrating how different digital platforms create distinct urban technological publics while highlighting the role of state actors in shaping platform dynamics. Comparative analysis with other Asian smart cities reveals distinctive features of Singapore’s institutional approach to smart city implementation. The study contributes to ongoing debates about citizen participation in smart city development while offering practical insights for policy makers navigating the challenges of platform-mediated urban governance.