Study of the initiatives of Belo Horizonte's innovation ecosystem for its development as a smart city

The rapid growth of urban populations has led to numerous challenges, prompting cities worldwide to adopt smart city initiatives. Belo Horizonte (BH), a major Brazilian municipality, is actively embracing this trend by leveraging its innovation ecosystem to address urban issues and improve citizens' quality of life. This article explores the smart city initiatives emerging from BH’s innovation ecosystem, emphasizing its role in the city’s sustainable and intelligent development. A qualitative research approach was employed, including participant observation and documentary analysis, followed by content analysis to interpret the data. The study highlights key solutions implemented in BH, structured around the main pillars of a smart city—such as governance, mobility, environment, and digital infrastructure. It also maps the primary public and private actors involved, illustrating their roles in fostering innovation. Ultimately, the research offers insights that may inform and inspire other municipalities aiming to strengthen their own innovation ecosystems and smart city strategies.