This study aimed to design and validate a strategic human capital architecture model in smart urban governance using a mixed-methods (qualitative-quantitative) approach. The study employed a sequential exploratory mixed-methods design. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 senior managers of Tehran Municipality, and the data were analyzed using thematic analysis. In the quantitative phase, the statistical population comprised employees of Tehran Municipality, from which 384 individuals were selected through stratified random sampling. The research instrument was a researcher-developed questionnaire whose validity (content and construct) and reliability (Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability) were confirmed. Analysis of the qualitative data led to the identification of 143 initial codes, 20 basic themes, and 6 organizing themes. In the quantitative section, the final research model was confirmed with favorable fit indices (CFI = 0.93, RMSEA = 0.061). The findings indicated that individual ability, organizational commitment, and contextual fit have significant effects on smart urban governance performance, and the mediating role of commitment and the moderating role of contextual fit were also confirmed. The results demonstrated that strategic human capital architecture in smart urban governance requires simultaneous attention to individual (ability), organizational (commitment), and contextual (fit) dimensions. This model can be utilized as a scientific framework for policymaking and improving urban governance performance in Iranian metropolises.