Smart cities are urban areas that use advanced technology solutions to improve services and life of residents. Due to their characteristics, smart cities are conceptualized by literature as fertile innovation ecosystems. The extant literature on this theme claim citizens participation is relevant in the innovation and decision-making process. Despite this claimed relevance, there is not a consensus regarding the effectiveness of this participation. The purpose of this paper is to examine the literature on this regard and to propose a conceptual framework of smart city as an innovation ecosystem suggesting a flux for the role of citizens as active participants in the decisions and innovation process of a city as innovation ecosystems. In order to achieve this purpose a literature review using Methodi Ordinatio 2.0 is carried out. The robust portfolio provided the foundation for the framework. Results describe the steps to be followed in order to plan the citizens’ engagement.