The Implementation of a Local Wisdom-Based Smart City System in Cirebon

Abstract

The city of Cirebon began developing its smart city system in 2017. The Cirebon Smart City system consisted of thirty-five applications, thirteen of which are developed and offer services in the local Cirebon’s language. This study aims to investigate and evaluate the implementation of a smart city in Cirebon. Furthermore, this study also analyzes the factors that can support and hinder the implementation of a smart city in Cirebon. Some literature sources discuss several smart cities, but it is still very rare to discuss the factors that support and hinder the implementation of smart cities. However, the smart city analysis in Cirebon has never been done; therefore, such analysis becomes novelty in this study conducted using the qualitative method. The data were collected using documentary analysis, fieldwork, interviews, and observation. The study has revealed that, from the perspective of policy, the system was an innovative policy. It can be seen in the Innovative Government Award (IGA) 2020 gained by the Government of Cirebon city. However, in practice, the implementation of the Smart City system is still far from being successful. This can be seen from the small number of users accessing the applications. Cirebon citizens in general are not aware of the system. Therefore, only few citizens use the applications offered in the Smart City system. The study has found that the factors such as poor communication, limited support system and resources, and complicated bureaucracy system inhibit the implementation of the Smart City system in Cirebon. It is hoped that this research will be able to complement literacy related to smart cities, e-government and policy theory and can be input for the government, especially the Cirebon Regency government. Keywords: policy implementation, smart city, e-government, digital government. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55463/hkjss.issn.1021-3619.60.27