Let's get digital: Exploring urban governance and management in India

This study explores the intersection of data and governance, focusing on the complexities of integrating data-driven governance within urban systems, particularly in medium-sized cities in the Global South. Using the empirical context of Swachh Survekshan (SS) in Thiruvananthapuram, the study examines the challenges and potential of data initiatives, emphasising the complexities of data collection, coordination, and institutional capacity. The findings reveal that while SS initiatives have fostered a data culture at the local level, standardised data collection methods are lacking. As a result, these initiatives often fail to account for city-specific contexts and local governance realities. Such discrepancies and institutional weaknesses hinder effective decision-making and resource allocation. The paper also discusses the tension between participatory and data-driven approaches to governance, highlighting how fragmented data systems within multilevel governance frameworks undermine the potential of data initiatives to drive urban transformation. To address these challenges, the study offers recommendations, including standardised data collection protocols, integrated data systems, and capacity-building programs.