The Role of Public Private Partnerships in Smart City Governance Policy to Foster Economic Growth

Abstract

Public-private partnerships are widely used in infrastructure-related projects, as such projects would be difficult to realize if they relied solely on the government. Smart cities represent a transformative approach to urban development, where technology, innovation, and governance are integrated to improve quality of life and promote sustainable economic growth. This study will analyze the role of public-private partnerships in smart city governance policies to foster economic growth, with a focus on how collaborative models can deliver efficient infrastructure, innovative digital services, and inclusive economic opportunities. Through an analysis of governance mechanisms, financing strategies, and case studies from various cities in ASEAN, this research emphasizes the need for transparency, accountability, and engagement with stakeholders so that public-private partnerships provide not just cutting-edge technologies, but also equitable and sustainable development to urban economies. The study adopted a qualitative method with a comparative case study design, performing policy and document analysis as well as implementation studies in a range of ASEAN cities, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the effectiveness of public-private partnerships in the governance of smart cities. The originality of this study is the comparative perspective on public-private partnership frameworks and smart city governance in the ASEAN region, thereby providing contextual understanding on the challenges and opportunities with respect to inclusive sustainable development on urban economies