Analysis of the Role of Agile Governance in the Development of the Smart City Concept: A Qualitative Study of the Banyumas Regency Government, Indonesia

The smart city concept has become a new paradigm in urban development, offering innovative solutions to improve people's quality of life. Agile governance, with its flexibility and adaptability, is a promising approach in managing the complexity of smart city development. This research aims to analyze the role of agile governance in developing the smart city concept in the Banyumas Regency Government, Indonesia. This research uses a qualitative approach with a case study of the Banyumas Regency Government. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with relevant government officials, document analysis, and field observations. Data analysis was carried out using thematic coding and triangulation techniques to ensure the validity and reliability of the research results. The research results show that agile governance plays an important role in developing the smart city concept in Banyumas. Agile principles such as collaboration, iteration, and focus on customer value have been adopted in the planning, implementation, and evaluation processes of smart city programs. Agile governance allows governments to respond quickly to change, actively involve the public, and optimize the use of resources. Agile governance has proven effective in overcoming the challenges of complexity and uncertainty in smart city development. Implementing agile governance can increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of smart city programs. This research contributes to the development of agile governance theory and practice in the context of smart cities, as well as providing recommendations for other local governments who wish to adopt this approach.


Introduction
The smart city concept has become a new paradigm in urban development, offering innovation the smart city concept has become a new paradigm in urban development in the current digital era.Driven by rapid advances in information and communications technology (ICT), smart cities offer innovative solutions to overcome various complex urban challenges, ranging from traffic congestion, and pollution, to social inequality (Komninos et al., 2018).Smart cities are not only about the use of advanced technologies but also about integrating these technologies with effective urban governance to improve the overall quality of life of society (Albino et al., 2019).However, the journey towards a smart city is not without obstacles.The complexity of urban problems, limited resources, socio-political dynamics, and rapid technological change are challenges that must be faced by local governments (Hollander, 2018).In addition, smart city development is often hampered by a top-down approach that is rigid and less adaptive to change (Iannacci, 2019).In this context, agile governance emerges as a promising alternative approach to managing complexity and uncertainty in smart city development.
Agile governance, which originates from the software industry, emphasizes flexibility, adaptability, collaboration, and a focus on customer value (Highsmith, 2018).These principles enable local governments to respond quickly to change, actively involve communities, and optimize resource use (Klievink, 2020).Agile governance also encourages innovation and experimentation, which are very important in the sustainable development of smart cities.This research focuses on analyzing the role of agile governance in developing the smart city concept in Banyumas Regency, Indonesia.Banyumas was chosen as a case study because it is one of the districts that has declared itself a smart city and has made various efforts to realize this vision.Banyumas has developed various smart city initiatives, such as eservice applications, traffic management information systems, and community participation platforms.
However, like other regions, Banyumas also faces challenges in implementing smart cities, such as limited resources, lack of coordination between agencies, and resistance to change.
This research aims to understand how agile governance is applied in the development of the smart city concept in Banyumas, identify factors that support and hinder its implementation, and evaluate its impact on smart city project performance.Thus, it is hoped that this research can contribute to the development of agile governance theory and practice in the context of smart cities, as well as provide recommendations for other local governments who wish to adopt this approach.This research is important because it can provide new insights into how agile governance can help local governments overcome challenges in smart city development.Apart from that, this research can also provide practical recommendations for local governments in implementing agile governance effectively.Thus, it is hoped that this research can contribute to efforts to realize a sustainable and inclusive smart city in Indonesia.

Literature Review Evolution of the smart city concept
The smart city concept has undergone significant evolution since its emergence at the beginning of the 21st century.Initially, smart cities were often identified with the use of advanced technology such as sensors, high-speed internet networks, and big data platforms (Komninos et al., 2018).However, over time, the understanding of smart cities has developed to be more holistic and focused on improving the quality of life of society as a whole (Albino et al., 2019).Smart cities are now seen as a complex ecosystem, where technology, people, and the environment interact to create better urban solutions (Komninos et al., 2018).
Smart cities are not only about technology, but also about good governance, community participation, and environmental sustainability (Hollander, 2018).In its development, smart cities have adopted various approaches and implementation models.Some cities focus on developing technological infrastructure, while others place more emphasis on improving public services and citizen participation (Meijer, 2021).There are also cities that adopt a more integrated approach, covering various aspects of urban life (Samarasinghe, 2020).

Challenges in smart city implementation
Although the smart city concept offers a lot of potential, its implementation is faced with various challenges.One of the main challenges is the complexity of urban problems that require multidisciplinary and multi-stakeholder solutions (Iannacci, 2019).Apart from that, limited resources, both in terms of budget and human resources, are also an obstacle in developing smart cities, especially in developing countries (Rodríguez-Abitia, 2019).
Another challenge is resistance to change, both from the government and society (Linders, 2019).Changing an organizational culture that tends to be bureaucratic and hierarchical to become more collaborative and adaptive is not an easy thing (Wijnhoven, 2018).Additionally, the implementation of new technologies often raises concerns about privacy, security, and the digital divide (Paskaleva, 2018).

Agile governance as a potential solution
Agile governance offers a potential solution to overcome challenges in smart city implementation.
Agile principles such as collaboration, iteration, feedback, and focus on customer value can help local governments to be more adaptive, responsive, and results-oriented (Highsmith, 2018).Agile governance can facilitate collaboration between the government, the private sector, and society in developing smart cities (Sharma et al., 2023).By involving various stakeholders from the start, agile governance can ensure that the solutions developed are in line with the needs and aspirations of society (Ommeren, 2022).
Agile governance can also help local governments to manage risks and uncertainties in smart city development.By using an iterative and incremental approach, local governments can test new solutions on a small scale before they are implemented widely (Viitanen, 2022).This can reduce the risk of project failure and ensure that the investments made provide optimal results.

Application of agile governance in smart city development
Several studies have shown the benefits of implementing agile governance in smart city development.Lee (2022) found that agile governance can increase the efficiency and effectiveness of smart city projects in South Korea.Sharma et al. (2023) concluded that agile governance can facilitate collaboration between the government, private sector, and society in the development of smart cities in India.
Case studies in Amsterdam show that agile governance can help city governments respond quickly to change and develop innovative solutions (Klievink, 2020).Meanwhile, a case study in Mexico City shows that agile governance can increase transparency and accountability in managing smart city projects (Rodríguez-Abitia, 2019).

Methods
This research uses a qualitative approach with an embedded case study design The collected data was analyzed using thematic analysis techniques.Thematic analysis is a qualitative data analysis method that aims to identify, analyze, and report patterns (themes) in data (Braun & Clarke, 2006).The thematic analysis process in this research consists of several stages, namely: 1. Familiarization: Researchers read and understand the data as a whole;

Results and Discussion
Table 1 presents the characteristics of various  Overall, the results of these interviews provide empirical evidence that supports the argument that agile governance can be an effective approach in smart city development.However, to achieve optimal results, efforts need to be made to overcome existing challenges and implement the recommendations provided.The application of agile principles is not only limited to project teams but also extends to the policy level and interactions with society.This shows that agile governance is not just a theoretical concept, but can also be applied effectively in local government environments to achieve the goal of sustainable and inclusive smart city development.
Table 5 presents a comprehensive thematic analysis of data collected through interviews, document analysis, and field observations.This  This training shows the regional government's commitment to increasing employee capacity in implementing agile governance.Understanding agile principles is expected to increase employee work effectiveness and efficiency.Discussions and questions and answers allow employees to get clarification and deepen their understanding of agile governance.The public was given an explanation of the smart city concept and its benefits for society.The public is invited to participate in smart city development by conveying aspirations and input.The public is given the opportunity to try several digital applications and platforms that have been developed by the local government.
This outreach shows the regional government's efforts to involve the community in smart city development.Submission of aspirations and input from the community shows the principle of participation in agile governance.The opportunity to try digital applications and platforms provides a direct experience to the public about the benefits of smart cities.This research also shows that agile governance can be a driver of innovation and learning in smart city development.Agile principles such as iteration, feedback, and a focus on customer value encourage project teams to continuously learn from experience, identify areas of improvement, and develop better solutions (Highsmith, 2018).This finding is in line with organizational learning theory which emphasizes the importance of double-loop learning in creating innovation (Argyris, 1978).Double learning involves not only learning about how to do something better (single-loop learning) but also learning about why to do something a certain way (double-loop learning).
Agile governance facilitates multiple learning by encouraging critical reflection and continuous evaluation of project processes and outcomes.
This research also highlights the role of agile governance in increasing community participation in smart city development.Through discussion forums, online surveys, and other feedback mechanisms, the public is actively involved in the decision-making process and provides valuable input for the development of smart city solutions (Scholl, 2021).This is in line with participatory democracy theory which emphasizes the importance of citizen involvement in the public decision-making process (Fung, 2003).Agile governance can be seen as a tool to strengthen participatory democracy by providing space for people to voice their aspirations and needs, and participate in designing solutions that suit the local context.
Smart city development is a complex process and full of uncertainty.Agile governance offers a flexible and adaptive framework to overcome this complexity and uncertainty (Conforto, 2020).Agile principles such as iteration and feedback enable local governments to respond quickly to change and adjust plans as needed.This finding is in line with complex systems theory which emphasizes the importance of adaptability and resilience in facing dynamic and unpredictable environments (Holland, 1995).Agile governance can be seen as an approach that is in line with this theory because it encourages organizations to continuously learn, adapt, and develop in facing new challenges.
Although agile governance offers a lot of potential, its implementation in the public sector, especially in Indonesia, still faces several challenges.Lack of understanding about agile, resistance to change, and limited resources are some of the challenges that need to be overcome (Linders, 2019).However, this research also shows that there is a big opportunity to develop and strengthen the implementation of agile governance in Indonesia.With strong political support, investment in training and capacity development, and a commitment to continuous learning and adaptation, agile governance can be the key to realizing a sustainable and inclusive smart city.

Conclusion
This research has provided valuable insight into the role of agile governance in developing the smart city concept in Banyumas Regency, Indonesia.
Through a comprehensive qualitative approach, involving interviews, document analysis, and field observations, this research succeeded in uncovering the dynamics of implementing agile governance in the context of the public sector.

References
Albino 2. Coding: Researchers code the data based on the patterns found; 3. Searching for themes: Researchers group codes that have similarities into themes; 4. Reviewing themes: Researchers re-examine the themes that have been found to ensure their validity; 5. Defining and naming themes: Researchers provide definitions and names to the themes that have been found; 6. Writing up: Researchers write the results of the thematic analysis in the form of a research report.To increase the validity and reliability of research results, data triangulation techniques were used.Data triangulation is a technique of collecting data from various sources to verify and confirm research findings.In this research, data triangulation was carried out by comparing data from interviews, document analysis, and field observations.This research was conducted by observing the principles of research ethics.Before conducting research, researchers have obtained permission from the relevant parties.Research participants have also been given an explanation of the research objectives and their rights as participants.Researchers also guarantee the confidentiality of participants' identities.
respondents in terms of gender, age, educational background, position, and length of work.This diversity reflects the complexity of smart city development which involves various stakeholders with different perspectives and expertise.Respondents from government circles have educational backgrounds that are relevant to smart city development, such as information engineering, regional planning, and public administration.Their positions also vary, from department heads to expert staff, showing the involvement of various work units in smart city initiatives.Varied lengths of service, from 3 to 25 years, provide a combination of experience and fresh perspectives to the team.Respondents from the community, including community leaders, academics, and activists, also have an important role in this research.Their diverse educational backgrounds, such as sociology, law, and environmental engineering, provide different perspectives in evaluating the impact and acceptance of smart city initiatives in society.Overall, the diversity of respondents' characteristics enriches the research by providing various perspectives and experiences that are relevant to the implementation of agile governance in smart city development in Banyumas Regency.This allows a more comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the phenomenon under study.
minutes and news articles.The RPJMD analysis shows the alignment of Banyumas' vision and mission as a smart city with the principles of agile governance.A vision that focuses on results and improving quality of life reflects the customer value orientation of agile.The broad priority program shows flexibility and adaptability in planning, in accordance with agile principles that are responsive to change.Project performance reports provide empirical evidence about the implementation of agile governance in the field.Completion of projects on time and within budget shows the effectiveness of agile in project management.However, delays and changing needs also show the importance of adaptability and flexibility in agile governance.Regular project evaluations demonstrate the application of the principles of feedback and continuous learning, which are key elements in agile.Analysis of policy documents reveals that agile governance has been integrated into the Banyumas smart city policy framework.The emphasis on collaboration between the government, the private sector and society is in line with agile principles which emphasize teamwork and open communication.The push for innovation and the use of open technology reflects agile principles that encourage experimentation and learning.Project team meeting minutes provide insight into how agile governance is implemented in daily practice.Regular and structured meetings demonstrate the application of the principles of open communication and collaboration.The short stand-up meeting format and focus on results shows efficiency and effectiveness in decision making.The news article provides an external perspective on the implementation of agile governance in Banyumas.These articles highlight the smart city initiatives that have been undertaken and the public's response to them.This provides valuable feedback for improving future smart city projects and shows how agile governance can improve government transparency and accountability.
relevant to the smart city project, such as project team meetings, training and program outreach to the community.Field observations show that agile governance principles, such as collaboration, iteration, feedback, and focus on customer value, have been implemented in various activities.This can be seen from the use of Kanban boards to visualize and coordination, as well as the involvement of end users in discussions and decision making.The use of Kanban boards in project team meetings indicates an effort to increase transparency and collaboration.Kanban boards allow all team members to see the status of tasks and overall project progress, making it easier to coordinate and make joint decisions.Daily stand-up meetings that are short and focused on results demonstrate attention to solving problems quickly and efficiently.Open discussions about obstacles encountered and collaborative efforts to find solutions demonstrate the team's commitment to continuous learning and improving performance.Focus group discussions (FGD) with the community regarding the of a traffic management information system show that there are efforts to actively involve the community in smart city development.Input from the community is used as valuable feedback to improve the quality of the system.Agile governance training for Transportation Service employees shows the regional government's commitment to increasing employee capacity in implementing agile governance.It is hoped that an understanding of agile principles can increase employee work effectiveness and efficiency, as well as encourage a more adaptive and innovative organizational culture.The socialization of the smart city program to the public shows the regional government's efforts to increase public awareness and understanding of the smart city concept.Community involvement in this outreach also shows the government's commitment to building a participatory and inclusive smart city.Overall, these field observations provide strong evidence that agile governance has been implemented in real terms in the development of smart cities in Banyumas Regency.
benefits of implementation.Thematic analysis shows that agile governance principles, such as collaboration, iteration, feedback, and focus on customer value, have been applied in various aspects of smart city development in Banyumas.Collaboration is seen from the active involvement of end users in the product and service development process.Iteration reflects the project team's ability to adapt to changing needs and technical constraints.Feedback from end users and periodic project evaluations are used to improve product and service quality.The focus on customer value can be seen from efforts to understand and meet community needs in developing smart city solutions.Even though the principles of agile governance have been implemented, the thematic analysis also reveals several challenges faced in its implementation.Lack of understanding about agile among employees and society is a major obstacle.This shows the importance of socialization and training about agile governance to increase awareness and understanding of all parties involved.Resistance to change is also a challenge, especially among employees who are used to traditional ways of working.Apart from that, limited resources, both in terms of budget and human resources, are also obstacles in implementing agile governance optimally.
This research reveals the crucial role of agile governance in shaping the smart city development landscape in Banyumas Regency.The key findings of this research provide a strong foundation for enriching theoretical understanding of how agile governance can be adapted and implemented in the public sector context, especially in complex and dynamic smart city initiatives.One of the important findings from this research is how agile governance acts as a catalyst in the transformation of organizational culture in the government environment.Traditionally, government bureaucracies tend to be rigid, hierarchical, and resistant to change (Linders, 2019).However, the results of interviews and field observations show that the implementation of agile governance in Banyumas has encouraged a cultural change towards collaboration, openness and a focus on results.This is in line with organizational change theory the change process (Bass, 2006).In this context, agile governance can be viewed as a framework that facilitates cultural change by providing space for continuous experimentation, learning, and adaptation.

Table 1 .
Characteristics of respondents.

Table 2 .
Results of interviews with respondents.

Table 3
presents an analysis of documents relevant

Table 4 .
Field observation data.