Sustainable Smart Cities through Collaborative Governance: The Role of Transformative Leadership
Keywords:
Smart city development,, Sustainable urban planning,, Local government leadership, Public administration,, Inter-agency collaboration,, Urban innovation,, Stakeholder engagement.Abstract
This study evaluates the transformative leadership of local administrators in Mahasarakham Municipality within the framework of sustainable smart city planning. The objectives are to assess the strengths and weaknesses of transformative leadership, identify factors influencing its effectiveness in promoting collaborative governance, and examine challenges faced by administrators in implementing smart city initiatives. It further aims to propose strategies to enhance leadership capabilities and develop actionable recommendations for fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration. A mixed-method approach was employed, integrating questionnaires and interviews informed by theoretical frameworks and literature reviews. The study surveyed 400 residents and conducted focus group discussions with 20 participants. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS, while qualitative data were examined through content analysis and documentary research. Key findings reveal that transformative leadership, aligned with the smart city framework, is both effective and integral to robust network-based governance. Sustainable city management in Mahasarakham Municipality received high ratings, with strengths including a clear vision, strategic policies addressing urban issues, and responsiveness to public opinions. Weaknesses involve communication gaps between agencies and the public. Factors crucial for effective leadership include inter-agency connectivity and comprehensive data sharing, which require enhanced networking. Challenges center on securing cooperation across sectors to implement smart city policies. Effective smart city development demands inclusive participation, collective problem-solving, and leveraging stakeholder potential.
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