Monash Impact Network Series (MINS): Beyond silos—scaling and integrating solutions for urban futures
Participants and guest speakers gather for a group photo
Jakarta – On Thursday 21 May 2026, Monash University, Indonesia successfully hosted another edition of its Monash Impact Network Series (MINS), bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, academics from Master of Urban Design, and practitioners for an engaging evening of dialogue, networking, and knowledge sharing. Held in downtown Jakarta, the event centered on the theme "Beyond Silos: Scaling and Integrating Solutions for Urban Futures."
As Indonesia faces rapid urbanisation—with an estimated addition of millions of urban residents in the coming decades—the discussion highlighted a pressing challenge: urban development is still often managed in disconnected "silos."
The event emphasised the need for integrated approaches that connect urban design, infrastructure, policy, environment, and community needs, reframing urban design not merely as aesthetics but as a powerful coordinating force.
Expert panel discussion featuring guest speakers and Monash University, Indonesia academics
Moderated by Dr. Ade Tinamei Ardi, Associate Professor (Practice), Monash University, Indonesia & Executive Director, Urban Design Study Center/Pusat Studi Urban Desain (PSUD), the session facilitated a dynamic cross-sector dialogue on how to bridge fragmentation in urban systems and create more inclusive, sustainable cities.
The session featured three distinguished speakers who brought diverse perspectives from government, international development, and academia:
- Andhika Ajie, S.T., MUAP, Head of The Center for Research and Innovation of Jakarta City - BAPPEDA DKI Jakarta, discussed the role of research and innovation in advancing integrated urban policy, highlighting how city-level initiatives are increasingly bridging gaps between planning, social development, and infrastructure.
- Dr. Yale Wong, Lead Adviser, Urban Mobility, Indonesia Australia Partnership for Infrastructure / KIAT, focused on the challenge of translating policy ambition into investment-ready infrastructure, especially in large-scale urban mobility projects where coordination across institutions and stakeholders is imperative.
- Dr. Neville Mars, Associate Professor (Practice) - Monash University, Indonesia & Director, Dynamic City Foundation, explored how design thinking across scales—from neighbourhoods to regions, from Mumbai to Jakarta—can connect fragmented urban systems, advocating for regenerative and context-specific urban models.
An engaging Q&A session: A participant poses a question to the panel
The future of urban development lies not in isolated efforts, but in integrated, collaborative approaches that bring together disciplines, sectors, and communities. The event welcomed around 50 in-person participants alongside virtual attendees, fostering an intimate yet dynamic environment for discussion and networking.
Beyond the formal session, participants engaged in conversations over dinner, exchanging ideas and exploring opportunities for collaboration across industries.