Managing the natural environment in the city is an important element of city management. Smart city authorities should take into account the opinion of residents about the comfort of living in the urban environment management strategy. A very important element of the natural environment in the city is air quality, which significantly affects the comfort of living in the city. The article presents surveys of opinions of the residents of a selected city in Silesia in Poland. The respondents' knowledge on the sources of air pollution in the city, the perceived health effects resulting from polluted atmospheric air and the expectations of residents towards the city authorities were examined using the anonymous questionnaire method. Residents' behavior in the situation of increased air pollution was also examined. On the basis of surveys, prophylactic pro-ecological activities were identified with the highest degree of acceptance of the local community as potential directions of urban environment management. The implementation of such activities, taking into account the opinions and preferences of the residents, is part of the co-management of the intelligent city.