Celebrating World Town Planning Day: Monash University, Indonesia and Bappenas Discuss Global City Transformation
Opening speech from the Urban Affairs Coordinator of Directorate of Local Development Bappenas, Agung M. H. Dorodjatoen, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D.
South Tangerang – Monash University, Indonesia in collaboration with the Directorate of Local Development, Ministry of National Development Planning/National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) Republic of Indonesia, proudly hosted a talkshow titled "Transforming Global Cities: Toward a Sustainable Future." This talkshow was part of the World Town Planning Day celebrations and brought together leading experts, policymakers, and practitioners to discuss transformative strategies for sustainable urban development.
The event served as a key component of Bappenas’ annual Training of Trainers (ToT) program under the National Urban Development Project (NUDP). This program aims to enhance the capacity of policymakers and government officials at both the national and regional levels, equipping them with knowledge to address urban development challenges. Attendees included senior planners from Bappenas, who play a vital role in disseminating expertise and fostering collaborative efforts for sustainable city planning.
Speakers of the Transforming Global Cities: Toward a Sustainable Future Talkshow
Three distinguished speakers headlined the talkshow, providing diverse perspectives on urban transformation. Dr. Ir. Oswar Mungkasa, M.URP., a Chief Planner at Bappenas, shared insights on the governance transformation needed for Indonesian cities to evolve into global cities. He emphasized the importance of visionary leadership, collaborative governance, and inclusive development that prioritizes environmental sustainability, social equity, and competitive economic growth.
Dr. Phil. Hendricus Andy Simarmata, Chairperson of the Indonesian Association of Urban and Regional Planners (IAP), presented strategies to harness the opportunities of globalization and urbanization. His talk highlighted the need for innovative policies, the adoption of smart city technologies, and a blue economy approach to position Indonesian cities as global leaders.
Eka Permanasari, Ph.D. present her research about net-zero energy precinct as one of the way to transform global city towards sustainable future
Eka Permanasari, Ph.D., Associate Professor at Master of Urban Design, Monash University, Indonesia, focused on the concept of Net-Zero Energy Precincts (NZEP) as a cornerstone of sustainable urban development. She highlighted key challenges, including siloed thinking, short-term planning cycles, and the lack of assessment tools for precinct-level projects in Indonesia. Dr. Permanasari shared insights from her research, funded by the Global Buildings Performance Network (GBPN), which aims to align urban growth with Indonesia’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Monash University, Indonesia’s participation in this event underscores its commitment to advancing urban sustainability knowledge through impactful research and partnerships.This talkshow provided a unique platform for knowledge exchange and capacity-building, fostering collaboration between policymakers, urban planners, and academics. Monash University, Indonesia, particularly its Urban Design Department, continues to lead efforts in sustainable urban development, driving transformative change through research and partnerships with local and global stakeholders.