ISO 37120 Indicators for Sustainable Cities: Brazil and Portugal

Abstract

Purpose: the main goal of the research is to analyze the ISO 37120 indicators in two cities located in Brazil and Portugal, verifying whether sustainable development strategies are present in public policies. Design: This research fits in a quantitative methodology, making use of on-line survey. The units of analysis of this research are the municipalities of Guarapuava - Brazil and Matosinhos – Portugal, Cross-Country Comparative Research. Findings: Through quantitative research, the citizens have presented a general perception about Education, Health, and Security indicators, sometimes in a positiveway, other times in a negative one. About the main objective, it was noticed that the the connection between the inquired citizens were the related indicators (sectors). The results obtained show that the ISO 37120 indicators can assist in an integrated monitoring of city governance, and function as advisory tool for some specific goals to city improvement in many aspects. Research implications: The research applied ISO indicators, which are very powerful to evaluate the public policies of cities. Therefore, it contributed with a potential evaluative instrument that indicates the priority targets for investments and development of public actions. Given that, the research also developed important reflections that may benefit the governance and provision of effective public services in many areas, namely, decision making support, urban planning and cities master plans, and UN SDG 11.