Governance Implications of Leadership in Smart Cities Development

Purpose: The general objective of this study was to explore the governance implications of leadership in smart cities development. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to the governance implications of leadership in smart cities development. Preliminary empirical review revealed that effective leadership was essential for successful smart city governance, helping to bridge the gap between technological innovation and citizen-centered development. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study recommended investing in leadership development, embedding citizen participation in governance, and building cross-sectoral leadership networks to strengthen smart city projects and ensure sustainable, inclusive urban growth.