Agile Governance in Strategic Infrastructure Projects: Evidence from the Palembang-Banyuasin Toll Road Development

Eddy Sarwono, Alfitri Alfitri, Ardiyan Saptawan

Abstract


This study aims to examine how agile governance is practiced in the development of the Palembang-Banyuasin Toll Road as one of Indonesia’s National Strategic Projects. The research responds to the need for adaptive governance approaches in infrastructure projects characterized by regulatory uncertainty, land acquisition disputes, and multi-actor coordination challenges. A qualitative case study design was employed using in-depth interviews, field observations, and document analysis involving government agencies, toll road enterprises, contractors, and affected communities. Data were analyzed thematically based on dimensions of agile governance: adaptivity, responsiveness, collaboration, transparency, accountability, and innovation. The findings show that agile governance was not formally institutionalized but emerged pragmatically as a situational response to project complexity. Adaptivity appeared in flexible decision-making and schedule adjustments. Responsiveness was reflected in dialogue-based conflict resolution with local communities. Collaboration was evident in coordination among the central government, local authorities, private actors, and communities. However, transparency and accountability remained largely administrative, while governance innovation was limited to flexible coordination forums and digital monitoring tools. The study concludes that governance in the Palembang-Banyuasin Toll Road project can be understood as hybrid agile governance, combining adaptive and collaborative practices with conventional hierarchical procedures. Rather than claiming a fully developed new framework, the study proposes Hybrid Agile Infrastructure Governance as an emerging conceptual proposition for analyzing how adaptive practices operate within formal governance structures in strategic infrastructure projects.


Keywords


Agile Governance; Infrastructure Governance; Toll Road Development; Hybrid Governance; National Strategic Projects; Infrastructure Megaprojects

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.35308/jpp.v12i4.15384

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