Airlangga Calls Sustainable Infrastructure Not Only With Environmentally Friendly Technology

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto (Photo: dock. Antara)

JAKARTA - The President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo hopes that massive and equitable infrastructure development can become Indonesia's capital so that it can be free from the category of medium-income countries. In addition, the construction sector is also expected to provide a multiplier effect on economic growth and employment.

The Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Airlangga Hartarto, said that the construction business field in the second quarter of 2023 was able to grow to 5.23 percent (yoy) and contributed 9.43 percent to GDP and became one of the main pillars of GDP.

In the 2024 State Revenue and Expenditure Budget Draft (RAPBN), an infrastructure budget of IDR 422.7 trillion has been set which is directed to accelerate and equalize development.

Airlangga said infrastructure development in its implementation must be sustainable by taking into account the carrying capacity of natural resources (SDA), disaster vulnerability, and the welfare of the surrounding community.

According to Airlangga, sustainable infrastructure development can be realized not only by implementing various environmentally friendly technologies, but also by efficiency in the use of resources, creating innovations, and involving the local community in various construction processes.

"This condition requires the transformation of traditional construction processes into modern processes with a touch of digital technology in each section of the construction process," said Airlangga in his statement, Thursday, November 2.

Airlangga said, when compared to the banking sector and other sectors, the construction sector is one sector that has not adopted digital technology much. The construction industry in the last ten years still relies heavily on old or decades old business models.

"So, we have to start adopting and getting used to digitalization in planning, management, and implementation, as well as making more data-based decisions," he said.

According to Airlangga, to realize the development of sustainable infrastructure based on digital transformation, there are several prerequisites that must be met, including collaborative thinking patterns, vision and leadership missions in the digital field, policies that are easily implemented, and reliable human resources (HR).

On the other hand, Indonesia itself has a large number of human resources and is currently included in the demographic bonus period. The opportunity that comes only once in the civilization of a nation must be utilized as well as possible by preparing a young generation who have high skills in order to meet the needs of the digital and sustainable construction sector.

"Indonesia continues to build by setting high standards," said Airlangga.

Efforts made by the government have received full support from business actors in the construction sector, Vice President of PT Tatalogam Lestari (Tatalogam Group), Stephanus Koeswandi assessed, there are two things that must be an important note in implementing the concept of sustainable development.

Stephanus conveyed the first way, namely in terms of environmental sustainability, and the second is economic sustainability. According to him, these two important notes must go hand in hand.

"So there are two things that are recorded. It is economically sustainable and also sustainable for the environment. We can't care about one of them. So we have to go hand in hand. We can't catch up with the 2050 zero emission target by stopping the wheels of the economy," he explained.

Stephanus said that construction business actors must continue to innovate by utilizing technological advances so that sustainable development, both for the environment and improving the economy, can be realized.

These innovations were then exhibited by Tatalogam Group at the 2023 Indonesian Construction exhibition this time. One of the innovations they continue to develop is Domus Fasttrack products.

Domus Fasttrack is one of the innovations developed with advanced technology for various applications for housing and buildings ranging from design to manufacturing using high-quality armored steel produced by PT Tatalogam Lestari which was cut as needed.

Meanwhile, this technology uses software that continues to be updated so that the products produced do not almost leave production waste.

"In addition, we also have color metal tile innovations that can reduce heat so that it can minimize the occurrence of Urban Heat Island, and most recently we are developing, namely technology, especially to equip houses with water brokers that can distribute rainwater where people can later collect this water in their respective homes. So that when the dry season is getting longer, we already have the technology to store this water, "explained Stephanus.

Domus Fasttrack's innovation received appreciation from the Ministry of PUPR. Director General of Construction Development, Rachman Arief Dinaputra, said that Domus Fasttrack's innovation has proven to be able to assist the government in accelerating infrastructure development, especially in the housing sector.

He said, with the advanced technology used, housing development, especially in locations affected by disasters, was faster and more efficient.

"We hope that Domus Fasttrack will continue to be developed so that it is more applicative to the needs of PUPR, especially for the preparation of houses after the disaster," explained Rachman.