Governance and quality of life in smart cities: Towards sustainable development goals

Abstract

Abstract The concentration of housing in the urban area and the strong population growth, implies adapting the cities to meet the people’s Quality of Life minimum. In this sense, smart cities present themselves as a viable solution to aggregate public resources, human capital, social capital and information, and communication technologies, to promote sustainable development. In this context, this research aims at analyzing the influence of the factors of Smart Governance on the Quality of Life in the context of the smart cities. This study is characterized as quantitative research, of a descriptive nature, made possible by means of a survey applied to 829 inhabitants of a city in the Northeast of Brazil. For the analysis of the data, we used multivariate data techniques, with the application of Structural Equation Modeling methodology. This study aims to analyze the influence of Smart Governance factors on Quality of Life in the context of smart cities, in the Northeastern region of Brazil. To that end, Transparency, Collaboration, Participation and partnership, Communication and Accountability on Quality of Life relationships were measured. The results of the research indicate intense and important relations among the constructs. Among the research findings, we highlight the identification of strategic drivers that can help the smart city rulers in the development of public policies and actions of the municipal executive that involves the population to achieve sustainable development goals. It is noteworthy that the research findings contribute to improving the governance of smart cities, in order to improve citizens’ quality of life.