Local Public Administration in the Process of Implementing Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

The concept of social responsibility and the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) share principles that focus on ensuring more empathetic, resilient, and just societies in which people can interrelate respectfully. The current tendency is to create innovative sustainable development strategies, focusing on local initiatives and demonstrating the role of local and regional governments as key change agents. This study focused on SD at the local public administration (LPA) level with the objective of determining how SDGs are implemented by LPAs, including examining administrative actors’ roles as coordinators of public goods and initiatives focused on convincing all stakeholders to participate actively in cocreating solutions to social, economic, and environmental problems. The relevant literature’s most prominent research topics and their evolution were explored using bibliometric techniques (i.e., evaluation, relational analysis, and the visualization of bibliometric elements using VOSviewer software (version 1.6.18)). The results suggest that the process of implementing SDGs presents LPAs with a set of challenges, concerns, and restrictions. The UN’s 2030 Agenda provides guidelines for how to meet its goals and targets, which helps LPAs set priorities and standards for development initiatives, but implementing them successfully is neither a quick nor an automatically successful process.

1. Introduction

The drive towards more sustainable development (SD) has included a growing interest in creating a global pathway to integrating sustainability goals into decision-making processes. In September 2015, the United Nations’ (UN) SD Summit adopted 17 global and universally applicable goals that built on the UN’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The objective was to facilitate SD by setting targets based on a triple bottom line approach: social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and economic development. The overarching goal of achieving sustainability is recognized as being of vital importance, and it can be attained via progressive changes in programs and policies.

The MDGs, in particular, were a tool that could be adapted to match the varied levels of development found worldwide and that could lead to significant advances in national and community efforts because these goals were quite broadly stated [1]. The MDGs were replaced by the UN’s SD Goals (SDGs) in the 2030 Agenda for SD. The question remains of how even the most developed countries can most effectively contribute to implementing these goals [2].

Plum et al. [1] argue that the SDGs’ wide diversity works in their favor because each country and community can identify with one or more SDGs, making significant progress towards SD according to their specific context. The 2030 Agenda presents 17 SDGs focused on eradicating poverty and achieving SD worldwide by implementing progressive targets and policies that respect human dignity. Overall, the SDGs focus on contributing to a healthy planet with fairer and more resilient societies immersed in economically prosperous regions [3].

Humanity is invited to develop new practices adjusted to meet evolving social, economic, and environmental demands. Performance can be improved through progressive changes made to—and readjustments of—behavioral patterns. Multiple studies have identified factors that facilitate change, including education and training programs that promote the acquisition of specialized knowledge. The latter translates into sustainable practices comprising behaviors that demonstrate a strong commitment to social, environmental, and economic SD [4]. Other important factors are technologies and social networks used as tools for promoting closer relationships between residents and administrative organizations [5]. These links foster beliefs and values that favor individuals’ tendency to adopt attitudes that benefit their society overall via ethical and humanitarian ideals that further the common good and public service [6].

SD planning can stimulate more regular sustainable practices if it is based on the policies defined in the UN’s SDGs. Changes in processes help people move towards achieving these goals and provide opportunities for positive reinforcement of sustainable behaviors. Well-designed plans need to include the operationalization and integration of sustainability practices through public sector administrations, thereby contributing to the welfare of society at large. Administrators are responsible for working diligently to foster SD in the most diverse areas to ensure progress towards the relevant SDGs, which provides long-term benefits by setting high standards for residents’ quality of life [7].

The present study focused on the crucial role played by administrative organizations in protecting and coordinating public goods and motivating all stakeholders to participate actively in finding solutions to social, economic, and environmental problems. This research sought to determine how the SDGs can be integrated by local public administrations (LPAs) to ensure the necessary coherence between the European Union’s different levels of governance. LPAs are at the core of any initiative that seeks to guide financial and business activities towards SD. This work thus sought to determine how SDGs can be integrated into LPAs’ activities, conducting a bibliometric analysis of the academic literature on fields related to LPAs’ achievement of SDGs in order to identify emerging themes and research gaps.

A more comprehensive approach is needed to address the most urgent SD issues that arise during administrators’ decision-making processes [8]. LPAs must participate actively in transitions between economic models in order to achieve SD as defined by the UN’s goals. LPAs’ performance should be assessed as they carry out activities on behalf of their community to ensure they use sustainable methods capable of fostering positive economic change in varied activity sectors [9].

To achieve SDGs, LPAs need to focus on a gradual progressive transformation of economic and administrative systems related to resources in order to promote SD projects that benefit current and future generations. The circular economy model, in particular, can be a sustainable, transversal way to achieve varied SDGs [10]. Purnamawati et al. [11] developed a related approach in which the social responsibility aspect of administration is seen as a moderator of green growth and digitalization in sustainable economic development. This tactic can reduce poverty and ensure social inclusion while ensuring environmental sustainability and resource efficiency.

Local Governments and the Sustainable Development Goals

LPAs are administrative entities that carry out activities on behalf of the surrounding communities. As representatives of the public sector, LPAs implement administrative initiatives that should benefit residents, and they collaborate with the private sector as much as possible to produce valuable outcomes [12]. This process is intended to be long term as it focuses on creating future opportunities to provide quality public services, achieve synergies, and pursue excellence and greater transparency. SD-centerd LPAs need to achieve a harmonious development of the relevant economy and society, as well as preserving the environment [13].

Sustainability in LPA contexts is guided by the UN’s Agenda for SD as expressed in the SDGs to be reached by 2030. Many SDGs focus on activities that are LPAs’ responsibility, placing special importance on initiatives in which administrative, political, and sustainability issues interact. Local governments should provide sustainable, resilient public services that improve community members’ quality of life and provide a sustainable future for all [14].

LPAs need to be pioneers in planning, presenting, and disseminating essential information on how to achieve sustainability. Publishing material on this topic contributes to increased transparency and presents these administrations’ actions in a positive light to the relevant communities. One credible way to disclose sustainability initiatives is to include them in management reports containing non-financial disclosure [15]. A standardized repertoire must be generated of the information that can be published on the implementation of sustainable policies based on business models compatible with SD [16]. By disclosing sustainability information, LPAs increase awareness of their current initiatives and encourage residents to co-create improved sustainable plans for future initiatives [17].

LPAs can offer the necessary conditions for technological access via the Internet, providing the technical components capable of facilitating information transmission and promoting community members’ active participation [18]. Electronic and computerized systems allow residents to engage in more effective and transparent communication with their LPA. The digital information universe allows local communities to become more aware of and to understand better how public policies are implemented [19]. The current global trend in urban planning is to construct smart cities capable of supporting advanced technological infrastructure, which greatly strengthens LPAs’ ability to provide innovative solutions and create value aligned with the SDGs [20].

Long-term sustainable planning and its evaluation are strongly interlinked with political and governmental organizations’ interventions. Laws and guidelines are fundamental tools that encourage residents to change their habits on a functional and logistical level. Additional measures are often implemented to meet legal requirements when laws are amended or new regulations approved [21].

LPAs play a crucial role in the local community’s involvement and the creation of new administrative models that ensure economic sustainability. One possible contribution is the conservation of public assets of social, historical, and cultural value at a regional level, which improves LPAs’ relationships with local residents. Administrations’ planning must include assessments of the potential for and limitations on communities’ SD. LPAs also need to develop diversified strategies such as social integration via new local jobs or the reuse of recycled and natural materials to reduce negative environmental impacts [22].

LPAs can use responsible initiatives and their successful implementation to foster citizenship behaviors that translate into collective participation with a beneficial impact on links between residents and local administrators. SD at the LPA level is, therefore, an important issue that needs to be addressed by analyzing the status quo and its evolution in terms of the SDGs’ implementation. Local governments are closer to regional populations, so these entities can identify local communities’ needs and priorities, recognize their potential, and promote shared initiatives based on the SDGs as facilitators of change [23].

The remainder of this paper is structured as follows. Section 2 introduces the bibliometric analysis methodology and presents the data collection and analysis processes. Section 3 describes the qualitative thematic content analysis (TCA) carried out and discusses the main results in terms of the relevant theoretical concepts. Section 4 discusses the themes and gaps identified in the literature on the selected topic. Finally, Section 5 presents the conclusions and suggestions for future studies.

2. Materials and Methods

The current research applied bibliometric techniques to explore on-going international research trends in relevant articles collected from the Web of Science (WoS) database. These techniques facilitate a more systematic, objective approach to examining the existing knowledge, thereby providing a more accurate understanding of the scope of prior research and highlighting the themes addressed [24]. Multidimensional bibliometric methods are an innovation with regard to traditional systematic literature reviews. These new techniques provide researchers with a map of the field in question and clarify the interconnections between the various themes of relevance to the main topic. The results can help scholars adjust their studies’ alignment and identify new research streams [15].

Bibliometric analysis is used to map specific areas of scholarship and ensure more objectivity in assessments of the academic literature. The techniques used ensure more empirically rigorous results by aggregating multiple scholars’ opinions within the field under study [25]. Bibliometrics take a more holistic approach that provides insights that minimize researchers’ subjectivity [26]. As a qualitative method, bibliometric mapping can highlight varied aspects of the literature such as articles’ content, authors, citations, and keywords. Bibliometric content analysis can thus provide a more accurate overview of each research field’s structure, complemented by keyword-based quantitative results [27].

The present bibliometric study relied on data collected from the WoS. The WoS is an international database that provides access to academic papers from all fields and to data on research results, dissemination, and collaboration. The publications indexed in the WoS have an associated impact factor in the Journal Citation Reports, which certifies the academic nature of the documents listed. This study conducted an advanced search in the WoS Core Collection and selected publications on all related issues to obtain a more expansive coverage of the literature.

The search vector used detected all variants of the term ‘SDGs’ in association with ‘local administration’, ‘local government’, or ‘municipality’. The results reflect the evolution of this topic’s conceptualization in publications’ title, abstract, or keywords. Combinations of the search terms were included to conduct a more empirically rigorous overview that revealed clear links between published documents.

2.1. Data Collection

The data were collected from the WoS database by using the standard method of creating a search vector that appropriately reflected the research topic. The aim was to avoid producing extremely broad results that included publications only indirectly related to the topic and, simultaneously, to prevent the opposite problem of overly restricted results that excluded relevant academic documents. The WoS database offered the option of conducting an advanced search in the Core Collection in all related fields, which provided access to papers in various areas of specialization.

The designated search vector was ALL = ((“SDG*”) AND (“local administration*” OR + “local government*” OR “municipality*”)). Instances of the search words were only considered relevant if they appeared in publications’ title, abstract, or keywords. The next step was to refine the search by applying filters. First, all documents not in an article format were excluded, after which articles not written in English were also removed.

The resulting sample covered articles published from 2016 to 2022 as documents written in 2023 were excluded. The period started with 2016 because the WoS database only started compiling documents in that year. The accuracy of the bibliometric analysis and mapping results would otherwise have been compromised.

The search vector was applied with the aforementioned filters, which produced a sample of 204 articles. The categories presented by WoS total 59 categories. The filter was used to exclude categories that were not directly related to the practices carried out at the LPA in the process of implementing the SDGs. The result was the exclusion of 27 categories, ranging from Agronomy to Food Science Technology. A total of 32 categories were selected, classified by the number of occurrences. The 6 most relevant categories according to the number of occurrences are environmental sciences, which accounts for 22% of occurrences; environmental studies and green sustainable science technology, both with 16% representation; and urban studies, energy fuels, and water resources, each with 3% representation. The remaining 26 categories out of the 32 in the sample group have a low number of occurrences. The final result of the data collection was 164 articles, making up the study sample.

2.2. Data Analysis

An analysis of the data collected revealed that the Sciences Citation Index Expanded had the largest number of records, followed by the Social Sciences Citation Index and then the Emerging Sources Citation Index. The h-index was applied to quantify the authors’ productivity and impact based on the most cited articles. The result was an average of 8.44 per item with a value of 20 h-index. That is, for every 20 published articles, an average of 20 or more citations occurred. Figure 1 is a graph of the joint analysis of number of citations and publications.

The above chart compares the total number of indexed publications and citations per year from 2016 to 2022, revealing a constant, gradual growth in the two indexes analyzed. The first year, 2016, had only two publications, and the highest peak was reached in 2021 with 49 published articles. The sample ends in 2022 with nine fewer articles (i.e., 40). These results verify a considerable increase that occurred during the entire period, except for a small decline in the last year. The number of citations grew rapidly over time given that, in 2017, only five citations appear but the final number in 2022 is 628.

The analysis revealed that the articles’ authors are quite different in terms of productivity. Most researchers published one article. The authors with the highest total production are five scholars with three articles each and 16 who produced two articles.

The data processing included examining the 32 thematic categories in the sample. The most significant themes correspond to the categories of environmental sciences, environmental studies, and green sustainable science technology. The next most important themes are the categories of urban studies, energy fuels, and water resources.

Regarding geographical scope, 59 countries are represented in the sample. The countries that have published the most, in ascending order, with the first country contributing the most publications, are China, the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, Australia, Nigeria, South Africa, and Spain, which together account for 97 of the 164 publications.

3. Results

The present study sought to ascertain how the SDGs are implemented at the LPA level, including administrative initiatives’ role in managing public goods and stimulating all stakeholders to participate actively in the search for solutions to social, economic, and environmental concerns.

Researchers have focused on sustainability principles’ integration into administrative procedures and SDGs’ incorporation into all levels of decision making and governance. The UN’s 2030 Agenda makes LPAs responsible for creating autonomous strategies capable of implementing SDGs. However, many of these goals are not legally binding, which may give LPAs a certain amount of freedom to decide how best to pursue SDGs but may also make the latter’s achievement more dependent on institutional factors [28].

3.1. SDG Categories and Their Implications for LPAs

TCA comprises both qualitative and descriptive procedures and helps researchers identify articles’ varied thematic content based on the most common topics and their frequency in publications. TCA assumes that the number of times a specific subject is mentioned within and across texts indicates how important that topic is in the literature.

The current research’s qualitative analysis assumed that the UN’s SDGs are fundamental to the pursuit of SD, drawing on the Stockholm Resilience Centre’s 2016 interpretation, which groups these goals by their targets’ specific nature. The category of SDGs linked to social performance covers poverty, food, health, education, gender equality, energy, communities, and peace (i.e., SDGs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 11, and 16). The economic SDG category embraces work, infrastructure, inequalities, and consumption (i.e., SDGs 8, 9, 10, and 12). Environmental issues are addressed by the SDGs related to clean water, climate change, life on land, and life under water (i.e., SDGs 6, 13, 14, and 15). Finally, SDG 17 is a cross-cutting category focused on forming effective partnerships for SD. The results are given in

Table 1. Categories’ frequency in articles and sustainable development goals (SDGs) disclosure ranking.

SDGs Categories	Total Frequency	Percentage (%)	Disclosure Ranking
Social	63	38.4%	1st Place
Economic	26	15.9%	4th Place
Environmental	41	25%	2nd Place
SDG 17	34	20.7%	3rd Place
	164	100%

, which includes a disclosure ranking based on the number of publications that mention each category.

A deductive approach was taken to determining the publications’ theoretical focus, in which the categories’ level of disclosure was classified based on frequency. The results for the four categories are discussed in greater detail below, including the theoretical framework most representative of their dimensions.

3.1.1. SDGs with Social Goals

Annesi et al. [28] concentrated on the SDGs with social targets, relating them to poverty, food, health, education, gender equality, energy, cities, and efficient institutions. This category has an extremely high level of disclosure within academic publications, so it is currently of significant interest worldwide. Another reason for this predominance is the numerical advantage of eight SDGs in the social dimension, which has contributed to the diversity of studies and expanded the volume of publications.

SDG 11 or sustainable cities is the most thoroughly developed theme in the research community. All of this goal’s objectives focus on cities’ proper construction and supervision by LPAs, making the latter’s role in this process predominant and diversified. Policy planning’s success relies heavily on urban monitoring, mobility, technologies, and artificial intelligence to reorganize urban systems in order to optimize the use of resources and minimize cities’ ecological footprint. Various mechanisms are incorporated, such as satellite data collection, communication platforms, and journalism, to accomplish these objectives. LPAs also need to prioritise community involvement in planning to ensure greater urban and environmental efficiency.

The SDGs specifically targeting health, education, poverty, and hunger have generally been dealt with together. These goals reflect humanity’s most basic needs, so LPAs must take a more comprehensive approach via policies that provide access to clean water, sanitation, and inclusion in education. Related initiatives have included maternal and child health, education, and literacy programs. In this area, LPAs manage community and social funds that are extremely important to ensuring initiatives’ universal coverage.

SDG 7 or renewable and affordable energies is widely mentioned in academic research. LPAs can promote mechanisms that use renewable energy, boost energy efficiency, and give local benefits to solar energy producers. In certain regions, the main concern is more basic, namely, ensuring households’ have access to enough energy resources.

3.1.2. SDGs with Economic Goals

The present analysis included the evolution of SD discourse, in which SDGs are given a prominent role in sustainability governance worldwide. These goals represent a key strategy to develop promising initiatives that integrate economic, social, and environmental dimensions [29]. As mentioned previously, SDGs with an economic dimension are related to labor, industries, equality policies, and sustainable production (i.e., SDGs 8, 9, 10, and 12). This category appears less frequently in the studies analyzed than the other three categories, and its SDGs are given the least amount of attention in academic publications, with SDG 12 being mentioned the least and SDG 8 the most.

Publications addressing SDGs 8 (i.e., technology) and 9 (i.e., industries) seek to assist urban managers, port authorities, and local administrators by developing increasingly digitized and sustainable logistics processes [30]. Longitudinal case studies have also focused on SDG 12 or resource management. For example, research on an Italian farmers’ market facilitated the development of an organizational model that helps reduce food waste, fight poverty, and improve public health [31]. The cited article’s main contribution was to identify key participants and their accountability to the local community, as well as clarifying auditing processes.

Most publications on SDGs with economic objectives have taken a multidirectional approach that has included other categories. The most frequently debated issues are resource management, waste reduction, recycling methods, and integrated information (e.g., corporate financial reporting) as widely implemented initiatives of extreme importance.

3.1.3. SDGs with Environmental Goals

SD is incompatible with the still pervasive perspective of exclusively benefiting current generations by depleting the earth’s natural resources. Humanity urgently needs to expand its long-term vision to reflect an increasing concern for future generations’ needs. Environmental issues are directly addressed through specific SDGs related to clean water, climate change, life on land, and life under water. In this category, SDG 6 refers to access to clean water and sanitation and SDG 13 to climate change, which are the environmental topics the academic community has most widely studied.

The main reason for this increasing disclosure in articles is environmental issues worldwide, including the consequences of mismanaging the planet’s natural resources. Multiple scholars and organizations have engaged intensely and continuously in the international process of raising humanity’s awareness and fostering consequent changes in behaviors. The literature discusses the dynamic role that LPAs play in SDG 6’s achievement as their proximity to communities helps promote more sustainable water management. In some regions, administrators are more concerned about providing access to water and raising its quality, while other geographical areas are interested in assessing water resources’ sufficiency and increasing efficiency.

In terms of climate change, LPAs are optimizing economic activities by applying resilient, innovative business models based on a green economy. SDG 14 focuses on protecting marine life and SDG 15 on protecting terrestrial life, but research on both of these goals is comparatively less frequently published. The academic community clearly understands that effectively and sustainably addressing these SDGs would significantly improve life on land and in the sea. Various articles have concentrated on SDG 14’s implementation, especially in China’s coastal areas, through programs that protect natural water features [32]. Another study that took place in southern Africa explored ways to strengthen the value given to fishing activities in local communities [33]. Research related to SDG 15 has emphasized environmental concerns, more specifically in the Himalayas, and preservation measures in natural areas [34]. The Amazon Rainforest is also a legitimate concern due to deforestation and its consequences for the world [35].

3.1.4. SDG 17 Effective Partnerships

SDG 17 comprises the cross-cutting objective of achieving effective partnerships for SD. International partnerships are driven by governments’ promotion of joint initiatives involving civil society and other actors to encourage cooperation worldwide in the 2030 Agenda’s application [36]. Multi-stakeholder alliances further stand out as complementary partnerships, which can be regional, national, or global in terms of participation and implementation [37]. The most frequent partnerships including LPAs are formed with tourism stakeholders; universities; private and public-private sector companies; and community systems representing local economies, such as authorities and entities that manage funds.

The literature in general contributes to the process of SDGs’ adaptation and achievement via empirical research using credible indicators that measure how well these goals are met. Specific studies have been conducted to map local activities and the relevant populations, to develop communication strategies that recognize local needs and to stimulate communities’ direct participation in managing and planning urban dynamics. Articles on the SDG 17 category provide a cross-cutting vision of great use to national and regional governments worldwide as these entities are genuinely interested in acquiring innovative, effective tools for implementing SDGs.

The implementation of the UN’s SDGs still requires changes in how this process is currently planned and executed. Scholars must, therefore, promote good governance practices that can ensure economic efficiency, sustainable growth, and financial stability.

3.2. Co-Word and Graphical Analyses

This subsection focuses on the relational analysis conducted, namely, a co-word analysis of publications’ content, which assumed that groups of words reveal underlying themes. This technique used the keywords of the set of articles published from 2016 until 2022. These academic publications were examined to provide a coherent overview of research on the SDGs and their implications for LPAs. The results identify which themes are most often discussed in these articles.

The sample collected from the WoS was introduced into VOSviewer software (version 1.6.18) to generate a graphical representation of the data via network and density maps of keyword clusters. This procedure started with the creation of a new map based on the bibliographic data gathered. VOSviewer then asked that a text file be designated to receive the more detailed data generated. The type of analysis was then defined as ‘Co-occurrence’ and the analysis unit as ‘All keywords’.

VOSviewer can take into account a thesaurus file that indicates how the program should convert specific keywords. The present conversion was carried out based on four criteria. First, all plural keywords were converted to a singular form. Second, all the words that have the same meaning but that are written in different ways were merged into only one instance (e.g., ‘climate change’ into ‘climate-change’). Third, all names were abbreviated to acronyms (e.g., ‘sustainable development goal’ into ‘SDG’). Last, all words that have the same meaning as their root word were converted into the original word (e.g., ‘accessibility’ into ‘access’ and ‘SDG 11’ into ‘SDG’).

VOSviewer can also filter the keywords according to a given minimum number of occurrences, which in this case was three. All the keywords that fit this criterion were included in the results, which comprised a set of 71 keywords grouped into eight clusters. The key words we co-opted with the highest frequency and their consequent representation in clusters of greater intensity are as follows: SDGs, sustainability, management, indicators, and local government.

3.2.1. Network Analysis

The bibliographic map took the form of a network of the selected keywords. The following information was provided: each keyword’s weight, its co-occurrence with other keywords, its similarity to these keywords, and the group it belongs to that was identified by the color assigned by the program. The keywords were grouped into different clusters based on their weight, similarity, and frequency. Figure 2 presents the cluster network map.

The above map contains the keywords shown in different colors according to the cluster to which they belong. Eight thematic clusters were identified. The different clusters’ positions on the map indicate which themes are the most common and interconnected within the publications analyzed. The closer a cluster is to the center of the map, the stronger the relationships are between the keywords that form that cluster. This feature indicates each concept’s importance within its theme and provides a clearer understanding of that cluster’s conceptual structure. In Figure 2 above, the central area of the map is occupied by words related to ‘SDGs’ and ‘local government’. This map’s density indicates that this research area is still evolving.

3.2.2. Density Analysis

Density refers to the number of links that make up networks and reflects the internal coherence or strength of the relationships between the relevant keywords. Density can be calculated by dividing each keyword’s number of links by the number of possible relationships. The bibliometric density map generated by VOSviewer uses a color spectrum ranging from blue to yellow. This software assigns shades of yellow to the areas of the map where the density of the keywords’ links is greater and assigns tones of blue to the areas where their density is lower.

Density maps thus show the most and least linked keywords more clearly via their color and location on the map. This information reveals the areas in which keywords more frequently co-occur as these keywords are positioned in the map’s center to indicate their greater degree of connection with the other keywords. Figure 3 contains the density map generated by VOSviewer. A large concentration appears around the keyword ‘SDGs’, and other words with lower density are spread out around it. The closest terms to the central word are ‘local government’, ‘management’, ‘indicators’, ‘area’, and ‘city’.

The above results reinforce the conclusion that the term SDGs is the most prominent research theme due to its appearance at the center of the map, with a large number of significant themes concentrated around it. Concurrently, the findings show that the SDGs theme’s connection to other themes has grown stronger as the related literature has expanded.

3.2.3. Cluster Analysis

The proximity analysis conducted further defined the clusters according to their keywords’ semantic content. A qualitative analysis of the different clusters created by VOSviewer again identified eight clusters. Each cluster was assigned a label according to the keywords contained in that group. The clusters were then grouped into three main dimensions (i.e., government, development, and environment) according to the themes identified.

Table 2. Clusters classified by areas.

Areas	Clusters
Government Area	Cluster 1—2030 Agenda Implementation
	Cluster 8—Local Government Initiatives
Development Area	Cluster 2—Stakeholder Engagement
	Cluster 3—Health
	Cluster 4—Impactful Solutions
	Cluster 5—Urban Dynamics
Environment Area	Cluster 6—Water
	Cluster 7—Urban Sustainability

Source: Adapted from WoS.

below shows the clusters classified by areas.

4. Discussion

The thematic analysis was able to identify which clusters fall within the three areas. The government dimension is discussed in greater detail next, followed by the development and environment areas.

4.1. Government Area

The government dimension is made up of Cluster 1, which focuses on the implementation of the UN’s 2030 Agenda, and Cluster 8, which concentrates on LPAs’ intervention policies.

Implementing the 2030 Agenda can only be carried out by multiple organizations’ sharing the responsibility for reaching the SDGs. LPAs are closer to citizens, so they are better positioned to respond to each municipality or local community’s needs [38]. Within the 2030 Agenda’s framework, LPAs should implement initiatives in communities—after identifying their specific challenges and priorities—by adapting and localizing SDGs, also referred to as the operationalization of the SDGs [39]. LPAs must provide solutions that provide more efficient, interconnected, and innovative local management and that include the establishment of public policies linked to the 2030 Agenda. This process implies transforming political, technical, and institutional culture into a culture of solidarity [40].

The 2030 Agenda sets a diverse set of goals, which include a new urban action plan calling for comprehensive urban housing policies based on inclusion and participation [41]. Urban centers need to be supported by an interdisciplinary approach [42] and by initiatives that deal with sustainability issues from a resilience perspective consistent with the 2030 Agenda [43]. Moving towards sustainable growth requires a long-term perspective and multidisciplinary approach to policy formulation and decision making [44].

The pilot program ‘Healthy Cities’ [45] is a good example of this approach as the program encourages LPAs to prioritise health and increases the public’s awareness of healthy lifestyles. Wang et al. [46] argue that LPAs’ reactions, incentives, or initiatives contribute to changes in the relevant populations that further the SDGs’ implementation. Researchers have also explored ways to reduce household food waste, which is another pertinent issue related to urban planning and community participation in implementing the 2030 Agenda and which is an important component of European Union guidelines [47]. Another equally important focus is the opportunities and challenges of using by-products or waste streams from local food production, especially when this is facilitated by industrial symbiosis [48]. In conclusion, LPAs worldwide face a wide range of challenges, concerns, and constraints. The 2030 Agenda with its goals and SDGs supports LPAs in terms of prioritizing and setting the standards for SD. However, implementing these goals successfully is by no means a quick and automatically successful process [49].

Cluster 8 contains various articles whose themes are closely connected to each other and which project a clear vision of LPAs’ role in SDGs’ implementation. Masuda et al. [50] identified possible approaches that help LPAs successfully integrate the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. These tactics include encouraging local owners to address the challenges they face, reenforcing existing policies that can be linked to formal procedures, and developing multi-stakeholder partnerships. Another useful strategy is establishing vertical communication channels with international and national organizations whose agencies can actively promote initiatives that localise SDGs.

Local actors can work through networks and establish synergies between projects that may broaden initiatives’ coverage through civil society, businesses, and local organizations [38]. The present research found that prior studies have included university–government partnerships fostering a culture of entrepreneurial initiatives [51] and relationships between governments and non-governmental entities focusing on a coherent conceptual approach to sport and development [52]. Other investigations have explored governments’ relationships with design experts to ensure roads incorporate safety strategies and are integrated into local policies regarding sustainable mobility [53]. Still another study concentrated on the artisanal mining sector and its evolution due to sustainable reforms instituted by governments, which can be linked to broader development initiatives such as achieving SDGs [54].

Collaboration at the local level is needed to optimize development efforts. Communities of practice in municipalities, in particular, are essential for reaching SDGs, especially when operational and bureaucratic challenges are overcome [55]. One area of special interest is LPA interventions that encourage compliance with the social SDGs associated with public services’ efficiency, which is closely related to residents’ well-being [56].

4.2. Development Area

The development dimension embraces Cluster 2, which focuses on citizen participation; Cluster 3, which is related to health; Cluster 4, which concentrates on impact factors; and Cluster 5, which is dedicated to urban dynamics.

The second cluster comprises articles that analyze the role of partnerships and stakeholder participation in sustainability principles and SDGs’ integration into municipalities’ strategies. The 2030 Agenda’s success depends heavily on its effective translation into broadly applicable policies that take information at the national level and adapt that information to implement it at the local level [28].

The dissemination of information is one of the most important tools for involving local communities, which can be carried out via government websites relaying LPAs’ commitment to the SDG implementation process. These administrations apply different strategies to inform the public about their goals, but most LPAs emphasize residents’ participation [57]. Research analyzing websites is limited by how the content changes quite frequently, and previous analyses have covered a small number of sites, which require further studies to expand their findings.

Regarding partnerships that involve multiple interest groups, Bednarska-Olejniczak et al. [58] investigated participatory budgets that call for stakeholder involvement and found that legal regulations for fund administration contribute to sustainable rural development. Another type of stakeholder partnership is covered by this cluster, namely, academic and LPA partnerships promoting SDGs. These stakeholders reflect varied perspectives and diverse positions, such as municipal authorities, academic partners, and graduate students, who can give advice on how to implement SDGs [59].

Studies of LPAs’ internal interest groups include research on economies of scale, which provides evidence of municipal mergers’ use of partnerships that include sharing services and reducing the need to eliminate small municipalities [60]. To ensure the most sustainable LPAs possible, partnership networks are formed that incorporate multiple stakeholders [61]; pay attention to ecosystem management; and optimize industrial structure, ecological agriculture, and rural infrastructure. These partnerships should facilitate the construction of sustainable societies through future-oriented development. The theme of SDG implementation is also covered in discussions of multisectoral approaches based on a dynamic vision that includes stakeholder mapping [62]. Finally, decentralized LPAs, stakeholder participation, and inter-group coordination are necessary steps in SDGs’ implementation [63].

Regarding the third cluster, health systems are essential for local residents’ well-being, so these services are of great concern to LPAs. Health systems’ effective expansion improves health outcomes and contributes to the overall process of achieving different SDGs. Hone et al. [64] assert that health services are an essential part of social protection as they play a vital role in reducing inequalities. LPAs’ involvement in health policies and decision making is essential to meeting communities’ needs, reducing inequalities, and increasing government accountability [65].

Huang et al. [66] studied nutrition policies and programs’ impacts and implications for the achievement of SDGs related to health and nutrition. A positive outcome is made possible by nutrition policies encouraging cooperation among various government agencies and partnerships, which can diminish malnutrition, improve breastfeeding rates, or lower obesity rates.

Cluster 3’s articles use keywords related to health, and these concepts are addressed through research on health-related issues, as well as the fatal consequences of poor health. Mortality has been widely investigated, especially in underdeveloped countries. These nations struggle with pervasive food deficiencies, weak health systems, inadequate sanitary facilities, and substandard main sources of water, which directly reduce communities’ quality of life and result in a high mortality rate [67].

Inadequate access to sanitation increasingly translates into more people catching waterborne diseases. Governments need to formulate water and sanitation policies that can more efficiently reduce the gap between developed and underdeveloped countries. One way of doing this is to provide support through technological and institutional systems that improve poor communities’ access to appropriate affordable technology providing gender-appropriate drinking water and sanitation facilities [68].

Another factor covered by Cluster 3 is approaches to healthcare that pay attention to environmental issues. Namin et al. [69] examined the relationship between environmental problems and health in a metropolitan area. The cited authors’ results stress the importance of analyzing environmental aspects alongside human health issues. Bai et al. [45], in turn, argue that LPAs should focus on the main health problems mentioned in community-specific health profile reports. Governance structures must facilitate the planning and implementation of programs that can ensure healthy urban communities. However, research has been limited by the absence of indicators capable of measuring how successful these programs are.

Concerning Cluster 4, human societies face varied problems related to unsustainability, and often no single definitive solution is available. Creativity and insight play a role in solving these problems and facilitating the identification of effective, sustainable solutions [70].

In this context, LPAs are clearly responsible for ensuring that communities have access to water and sanitation services. Carrard et al. [71] present a new approach to this problem that combines human rights with concrete local initiatives encouraging constructive engagement between civil society and local government professionals. Another innovative approach to improving accessibility comprises sustainable energy planning and standardized tools that exploit municipalities’ geographical, infrastructural, and socioeconomic characteristics to facilitate the local population’s access to sustainable energy [72].

Accessibility has an impact on residents’ daily life, so this challenge is of the utmost importance in LPAs’ strategic plans. For example, food distribution is one way to ensure successful agriculture in remote rural areas. LPAs should evaluate existing modes of transport and their effects on the marketing and distribution of products [73].

Technological evolution is the main tool used in diversified strategies to make sure LPAs’ initiatives are sustainable. Various articles present impactful technological solutions that have contributed to widespread change in local communities. Joshua et al. [74], for instance, focused on using remote sensing technology to monitor urbanization to develop urban designs that create a balance between healthy living environments and stable economic livelihoods. Luo et al. [75] assessed the spatio-temporal expansion of aquaculture ponds in coastal zones with remote sensing and a geographic information system to understand how globalization and economic policies can contribute to these changes.

SD’s success is strongly dependent on accurate, consistent data being used in urban planning and the monitoring of development solutions via spatial resolution sensors that provide the data needed to analyze diverse urban and territorial growth patterns [76]. Urban sprawl is ubiquitous due to complex driving forces, including human and natural factors at various levels, that affect human-environment urbanization dynamics [77]. More specifically, the conversion of natural landscapes into impermeable surfaces has a major impact on thermal environmental conditions in metropolitan areas. Increased temperatures and the associated thermal stress have a negative effect on people’s well-being and health.

Finally, regarding Cluster 5, urban dynamics, urbanization, and cities are concepts widely discussed in Cluster 5 articles, which also focus on SD and strongly emphasize environmental issues. The rapid acceleration of urbanization is associated with intense growth that produces extensive environmental degradation [74]. Cities urgently need to find solutions that find a way to preserve the environment and ensure healthy lifestyles.

LPAs are motivated and even driven to introduce gardens into suburbs, establish appropriate policies and incentives for renovating green areas, and promote urban dynamics that respond to the sustainability crisis [78]. Studies have identified the benefits of forests, public parks, and gardens, but less research has been carried out on informal spaces, including roof eave gardens. Gardening can greatly benefit the environment and human health.

Ligorio et al. [79] conducted bibliometric analysis that highlighted trends in research on sustainable cities, including topics such as urban development, public management, environmental issues, and cultural impacts on residents. These studies have a strong connection with SDG 11 (i.e., cities). Ligorio et al.’s [79] findings provide evidence that sustainable cities are supported by LPAs’ political activities and by municipal institutions’ contributions to cultural or technical projects. LPAs’ SDG implementation process furthers the use of evaluation systems based on performance indicators that allow these administrations to monitor and evaluate their own practices continuously. The incorporation of SDGs in evaluation systems (i.e., city performance indicators) facilitates decision making, strengthens LPAs’ commitment to the 2030 Agenda, and drives SDGs’ operationalization [80].

4.3. Environmental Area

The environmental dimension is composed of Cluster 6, which is related to water issues, and Cluster 7, which concentrates on urban consumption.

Sustainable access to improved water services is a human right emphasized by the UN’s SDGs. Researchers have found ample evidence of an efficient water supply and sanitation system’s impact on SD in different countries. Studies have also focused on water and sanitation services in national, regional, and local contexts in many nations. For example, Islam et al. [81] assessed LPAs’ governance using a water resource management meter based on software, which evaluates stakeholder engagement and identifies governance challenges. The latter issues can be measured via indicators such as transparency, accountability, participation, and social equity. Sambo et al. [82] extended these challenges’ scope to include budgetary constraints, which highlight the need for more extensive assessments of water access and quality in social, economic, and environment dimensions. Kanyagui et al. [68], in turn, report that little research has been carried out from an international comparative perspective on key water and sanitation indicators, including service provision levels, types of services available, financing, and policy reform.

Other significant factors have been covered by studies of water access and quality, including sanitation [83]. Other important aspects comprise fecal sludge management and hygiene habits [84]—especially in schools, where a direct relationship has been found between improved child health, educational outcomes, and teacher satisfaction. Investigations of SD in mining communities have additionally underlined the metals and mining industry’s significant role, but the available information is not transparent enough to reveal specific mining host communities’ commitment to the SDGs after mine closures [85]. More data are needed at the local level to define who the responsible parties are and what risks and opportunities arise after mine closures.

Another important factor examined is aquaculture’s expansion in coastal areas. On the positive side, this activity provides food security and contributes to economic development. The negative effects are marine pollution, including nutrient pollution and marine debris [75]. Scholars need to provide useful information and empirically robust guidance to LPAs in order to promote SD’s inclusion in communities’ planning and policy- and decision-making processes.

Urban planning frameworks are proving to be a development challenge worldwide. Cities present opportunities to address this issue through integrated urban development strategies. Solutions that improve urbanized areas’ resilience include taking advantage of innovative technologies, such as vacuum sewage collection, decentralized treatment facilities, and maximum efficiency technology in solid waste management [86].

Climate change is another important topic related to LPA leadership’s effectiveness, with significant consequences for access to and the quality of water supply networks. Climate action plans should be implemented, but clear communication is needed between internal agents and stakeholders. A green economy can also be encouraged by developing policies based on financial incentives [87]. Reducing poverty and protecting ecosystems both require the effective management of resources and regions. In rural areas, for instance, livestock practices may continue to be communities’ main livelihood [88].

Concerning Cluster 7, cities tend to dominate their regions in terms of political power, economic growth, educational advancement, and cultural and technological innovation. Rapid urbanization, especially in developing countries, has resulted in numerous challenges that national governments and LPAs must address [89]. Urbanized areas consume large amounts of energy, materials, and natural resources and emit over 60% of all greenhouse gas emissions, so these zones contribute the most heavily to climate change and ecological instability [39].

Effective urban planning involves adopting tools and solutions that promote sustainable urban growth. Previous studies have highlighted the use of smart city technology to achieve SD, which allows policymakers to use more efficient indicators in sustainability performance assessment [79]. Making cities sustainable means that employment opportunities and safe and affordable housing need to be created, as well as the fostering of societies based on economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection [90]. These components are interconnected with and fundamental to individuals and societies’ well-being.

Martínez-Córdoba et al. [91] specifically analyzed local governments’ commitment to cities, and the results indicate that a strong commitment exists but that this alone may not be sufficient to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Geographical studies have been conducted of LPAs’ role in SDGs’ implementation, although little information is available and the best data collection methods have not yet been identified [92].

Planning sustainable urbanism requires analyses of climate variations and their causes. A large proportion of future urban growth will be located in areas that are crucial to climate change prevention [77]. LPAs need to encourage measures that reduce negative environmental impacts. For example, Yomthong et al. [93] confirmed that urban glass waste can be transformed into cement block mortar, while Watson et al. [94] explored sustainable infrastructure management practices such as the strategic location of high-speed railway stations. Still other researchers examined the correlation between the environment and community health indices based on an ecological understanding of environmental and human health issues [69].

5. Conclusions

The present study focused on how SDGs can be implemented at the LPA level, clarifying administrative initiatives’ role in coordinating public goods and motivating stakeholders to participate actively in finding solutions to social, economic, and environmental problems. The results for the government area show that, to implement the 2030 Agenda, researchers must explore diverse perceptions of different local governments in diverse regions, as well as organizational innovations that more effectively integrate SDGs. Regarding local government initiatives, the findings on the government dimension also reveal that scholars still have to explore the synergies between different SDGs and the ways in which they are interconnected. In addition, a better understanding is needed of how to more effectively measure projects’ successful development and the impact on their target areas.

The publications analyzed also report that LPAs choose to prioritise specific SDGs over others based on their national or economic interests. The prioritization of specific goals may be unavoidable, but an excessively narrow focus can be harmful and limit the 2030 Agenda’s achievement. In particular, researchers may obtain more interesting results by further exploring the synergies between SDGs and spending policies, to assess the effectiveness of LPAs’ choices when determining SDG implementation’s share in municipal budgets.

The results for the development area indicate a tendency to expand research on related topics, given articles’ variable content and modest attempts at comprehensive theoretical analysis. Specifically regarding health, researchers assert that LPAs must use indicators that can accurately measure the 2030 Agenda’s implementation process.

The findings for the environment area include that SDGs’ achievement is largely contingent on gathering reliable data on water, so this information needs to be collected and analyzed to monitor urban planning and development solutions. Urban dynamics studies should explore the benefits of informal spaces, including gardens. More specifically, water-related resources have to be understood with reference to their social, economic, and environmental dimensions. Scholars thus need to maintain an international comparative perspective on key indicators of access to water and sanitation, including service provision levels, the services available, funding, and changes in policy. The literature on urban sustainability highlights the scarcity of information and data collection policies. The latter information is collected by local authorities, who make use of it in ways that justify their political and ideological positions, potentially altering the data’s presentation so that overall interpretations of the database are affected.

Achieving the UN’s SDGs requires changes in current planning and implementing processes to strengthen SD. Good governance practices need to be encouraged to ensure economic efficiency, sustainable growth, and financial stability. There is an urgent need to take action by encouraging the government to implement initiatives such as the creation of a regional brand to represent the responsible image of local communities and reinforce true democracy through active local participation [95]. The current study sought to contribute to elucidating this topic through quantitative analysis using bibliometric techniques that facilitated a TCA of data collected from the WoS database and interpreted with VOSviewer’s assistance. The result was a state-of-the-art procedure that revealed various gaps in the literature, which need to be addressed by academics to allow this field to expand further.

Limitations and Future Opportunities

Some difficulties were encountered during this study with regard to theoretical assumptions and effective keywords capable of producing comprehensive results on the relationship between the SDGs’ implementation and LPAs’ initiatives. The combination of topics presented challenges that required multiple steps followed by a careful analysis of the output generated. This problem could constitute a limitation as the search vector applied may not encompass all the documents that have contributed to this field of research.

More knowledge is needed about the connection between SDGs and LPAs, so future studies should extend the present study. Researchers can conduct correlational studies of the links between various SDGs, conducting qualitative and quantitative analyses, to ascertain any patterns in the results. This approach may offer clues to be followed up on by future investigations to provide a deeper understanding of LPAs’ influence on the SDGs’ implementation.

In conclusion, the present study identified a need for further comparative research to explore local governments’ diverse perceptions, in different regions, and organizational innovations that effectively integrate the 2030 Agenda’s goals. Strong evidence was found for significant similarity in the case studies analyzed, but these parallel findings have not increased any individual project’s impact or changed the distribution of resources [96]. One solution would be to encourage cooperation between regions or countries, given that many challenges that have arisen during the 2030 Agenda’s implementation have not been restricted to specific regions but instead appear across geographical areas (i.e., national or international). Another strategy would be to make use of centralized and decentralized approaches’ complementarity to coordinate sustainability projects more effectively.