Towards a sixfold helix model for green smart cities? A conceptual exploration of stakeholder collaboration, interaction mechanisms, and role allocation

In an era of increasing urbanization, environmental pressure, and growing demands from residents, modern cities face the challenge of properly managing their development. This article presents a conceptual Sixfold Helix model, which offers a new approach to stakeholder cooperation in the process of building Green Smart Cities. The model is based on the combination of science, industry, public administration, civil society, the natural environment, and the digital technology and infrastructure sector. The addition of the sixth helix results from the dynamic development of digital technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, big data, and blockchain, which significantly strengthens the role of the technological component in city management processes. The particularly dynamic development of artificial intelligence has recently become a dominant component of social and economic life. The multidimensional nature of AI tools and their versatility and flexibility in adapting to different areas of life make it justified to consider this dimension as a separate and strategic pillar of Green Smart Cities development. The paper conceptualizes the Sixfold Helix model and identifies the main types of cooperation mechanisms between stakeholders who play a key role in planning, implementing, and evaluating Green Smart Cities solutions. Reference is also made to the functional links between the individual helices, identifying fifteen key interactions that reflect the directions and mechanisms of cooperation in the urban ecosystem. As part of this conceptual framework, a map of interaction mechanisms and a RACI matrix were developed as tools for the practical integration of activities and coordination of stakeholders in the transformation processes towards Green Smart Cities. In addition, a SWOT analysis was carried out to determine the internal potential of the model. On this basis, recommendations were formulated for coordination mechanisms and support instruments that may increase resilience and adaptability in the implementation of the Sixfold Helix model in urban practice. It can therefore be concluded that the proposed conceptual model creates unique opportunities for technological, social, and environmental integration in city management in a dynamically changing environment.