Analysis of the Public Management Profile in Brazilian Municipalities and the Differentials Found in Smart City Management

Abstract

Global population growth is a subject of debate in governmental, non-governmental organizations, and academia, as well as a concern for contemporary society. The projections of weakening and depletion of urban infrastructure, difficulties in supply, scarcity of natural resources, associated with primary needs (health, education, housing, and security) created a demand for alternatives to attending the population needs. Some cities, called smart cities, already stand out for achieving their management goals with the help of technology. This article aims to identify the management elements that differentiate the management of a city considered smart (Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil) from the others in the Brazilian context. For the analysis, secondary data for 2015 provided by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics were used. The analysis allowed us to identify the management characteristics of the 5,570 Brazilian municipalities. The characteristics of the management of the municipality of Belo Horizonte, considered a smart city, were identified through interviews with the managers of the municipality. With the analysis, we identified the differentiating elements of the management models, which made it possible to create environments that propelled the increase of creativity and proposals of technological bases in the management of a smart city.