Visionary Leadership Role: Building a Ghost Town Civilization

This paper aims to explore the role of a visionary leader in rebuilding the city's civilization dubbed the ghost town as a result of being abandoned by its inhabitants because of the cessation of mining activity in Sawahlunto City. This mayor-level visionary leader's role is considered successful as an example of a successful visionary leader for achievement in reviving the dying city and making the city a growing economy. The methodology used in this study is a literature review and a comprehensive library review and case study approach. The collecting data were conducted by interviewing some local communities and women entrepreneurs in Sawahlunto to strengthen this study. The interview was recorded in video recording.The success of the visionary leader begins with the success of the leader on the city's vision. The regulatory legitimacy becomes a reference and common goal in building the city. The success is associated with the vision implementation sustainability through real action by the next leadership’s successor encompasses the key success factor. The success is indicated by the achievement gained in 2019 as one of the world Heritage Sites by UNESCO. However, some questions are proposed related to the city’s vision sustainability on age and destination, the forming of cadres of leadership, and the next leader’s vision commitment