This commentary explores the potential of strengthening smart city development (SCD) governance theory through a more meaningful integration of innovation management studies. We highlight the limited theoretical framework in SCD governance and show how theoretical stimuli from innovation management can address key governance challenges affecting SCD. Our focus encompasses several governance challenges that we use as exemplary cases: conceptualizing SCD, strategizing citywide SCD efforts, introducing monitoring methods and indicators for SCD projects, intermediating among stakeholders, and managing multi-level governance dynamics. The primary goal of our commentary is to advocate for increased multidisciplinary research in the SCD field, emphasizing the accelerated knowledge accumulation achievable by linking it with the more established field of innovation management studies. We conclude that innovation management offers valuable insights for advancing SCD governance theories. This commentary initiates a dialogue on the necessity of cross-disciplinary research in the smart city domain, which is expected to benefit both academics and practitioners.