Jokowi: The Concept Of City-City Development In Indonesia In The Future Must Be Sustainable

Presiden Joko Widodo saat membuka Rekernas APekSI ke-XVII di Balikpapan, Kaltim, Selasa (4/6/2024). (ANTARA)

BALIKPAPAN - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) expressed his admiration for the green and environmentally friendly structuring of Balikpapan City by paying attention to the originalness of the environment and comfort of citizens. "City development should not only focus on infrastructure development, but also pay attention to the greenness and comfort aspects of its citizens. I am happy that the City of Balikpapan has excellent greenness," said Jokowi during the National Working Meeting (Rakernas) of the Association of All-Indonesian City Governments (APEKSI) XVII in the Balikpapan Sport and Convention Center (BSCC) Dome, East Kalimantan, Tuesday, June 4. President Jokowi stated that the current city development paradigm should shift towards a more sustainable concept. The ideally considered cities are those that are friendly to pedestrians, persons with disabilities, bicycle users, women, and of course, environments. "This means that the city must be green, smart and friendly," he added. Jokowi also criticized the use of concrete and paving over-blocks in urban development. According to him, the use of paving grass would be more favorable in creating green spaces. "There are sidewalks all using paving blocks, it would be better if using paving grass to be greener," he said. The President added, the existence of pedestrians who are not equipped with trees becomes a problem in tropical countries such as Indonesia, which has a hot climate. "So no one wants to walk because there is no shelter," he explained. Jokowi emphasized that greenness should be a priority for all cities in Indonesia, by exemplifying Balikpapan and Surabaya as cities that have implemented the concept well. "On the other hand, I am waiting," said the President, inviting other cities to follow in their footsteps. Furthermore, Jokowi talks about the Capital City of Nusantara (IKN) which is in the development process. IKN is designed to be the greenest capital city in the world with the concept of the city of forests.

"It's really green if we are consistent with the initial concept of IKN development," he said. Jokowi closed his remarks by emphasizing that cities that are already full of buildings and concrete must have the courage to redesign and rearrange, even if that means reducing some buildings to be used as city parks. "There is no other way if already," said Jokowi.