Open data platforms provide free access to datasets in key areas of urban development. Often managed by the local state, open data platforms constitute a part of smart city strategies worldwide, serving different, potentially contradictory aims, i.e., fostering economic development, pursuing civic objectives or improving administrative efficiency. Reflecting these diverse orientations, our interest lies in understanding how open data platforms are coproduced by different actors based on their conceptions of open data. Taking a critical stance toward the often functionalistic interpretation of open data initiatives as ecosystems, we conceptualize the development of open data initiatives through a dynamic approach to agency, focusing on the strategies of different actor groups shaping open data initiatives and platforms in specific local governance contexts. Empirically, the paper analyses the development of open data initiatives and platforms in two European cities, Lyon and Berlin. Starting with the initial steps for setting open data on the agenda, we apply a process perspective unpacking actors' conceptions of open data and their strategies to shape open data initiatives and platform design. The analysis is based on tracing development processes and on interviews with representatives of city administrations, open data initiatives and civil society. Our findings indicate the objectives of open data initiatives were narrowed down to economic development and administration efficiency, despite broader visions on open data among other actors. This can be traced back to the high importance of personnel, financial and technical resources for defining the implementation of open data initiatives.

Open data platforms are being widely adapted in cities with a promise to boost the economy and empower citizens. However, researchers have drawn attention to the ineffectiveness of such initiatives, unless they are designed taking into account the local context and ecosystem of actors. Yet, literature review demonstrates a gap in addressing individual motivations of actors and in particular discrete civil society actors to use open data. Building upon studies on individual motivations in open government, we propose a heuristic model of interconnection between societal outcomes of open data and individual motivations of the actors.Analysis of the open data initiative and ecosystem in Lyon is based on interviews and platform analysis. Our findings show that civil society actors in Lyon have the expertise to create knowledge and services from open data, but they fail to appropriate the latter for the lack of communication channels with the platform managers. Consequently, possible modalities of interaction are discussed and further research agenda is proposed to better understand the connection between individual motivations, open data platform design and broader societal outcomes.

Cet article vise à exposer les réflexions engendrées par la présentation de Marc Jeannotte intitulée “Quels modes de vie citoyenne voulons-nous dans nos métropoles?”. Soulignant le lien entre les transitions urbaines et le projet humain, l’intervenant a avancé le rôle essentiel de la participation citoyenne et du citoyen comme un acteur de ces transitions. Notre analyse de ce questionnement est basée sur trois notions de la théorie d’action : les champs structurels d’action, les acteurs et les représentations des acteurs. En appliquant ce cadre conceptuel à la discussion, nous pouvons conclure que pour permettre l’intelligence collective dans les démarches participatives, il faut prendre en compte ces trois éléments. Ainsi, l’intervenant et les discutants mettent l’importance sur l’expertise des citoyens et le capital social, l’accessibilité à l’information et la fracture numérique, la diversité des opinions et l’apprentissage. Ensuite, nous identifions les lignes de questionnement à poursuivre afin d’améliorer notre compréhension des formes de la participation citoyennes du point de vue des représentations et des stratégies d’action des citoyens.