Enviro News Asia, Washington, D.C. — Indonesian and U.S. urban specialists discussed pathways to shape Indonesia’s next-generation cities during a webinar hosted by the Indonesian Embassy in Washington, D.C. on 20 November 2025. The event, titled “The Future of Urban Indonesia: Pathways to Inclusion, Resilience, and Innovation,” brought together 135 participants to assess the country’s rapid urbanization and the opportunities for bilateral cooperation.
Ambassador Indroyono Soesilo emphasized the urgency of building cities that advance fairness, resilience, and long-term sustainability. He underscored that Indonesia’s fast-growing urban centers require planning approaches that protect community well-being and ensure equal access to development benefits.
Professor Deden Rukmana of the University of Texas–Arlington presented key findings from his research on metropolitan governance, kampung integration, climate resilience, and the potential for Indonesia to emerge as a global model of sustainable urban development. He noted that Indonesia could lead the way if it successfully aligns technology, local knowledge, and inclusive planning frameworks. Professor Rukmana, who directs the Master of City & Regional Planning program, has authored three notable works on city and regional planning, including Planning Theory & Practice, The Routledge Handbook of Planning Megacities in the Global South, and The Routledge Handbook of Urban Indonesia.
Ambassador Indroyono concluded the discussion by identifying five priority urban challenges requiring immediate policy focus: housing, pollution, transportation, waste management, and drinking water. He encouraged follow-up efforts based on case studies drawn from Professor Rukmana’s research to support evidence-based recommendations for Indonesian mayors. He also highlighted the importance of strengthening sister-city partnerships, noting existing collaborations such as Bandung–Fort Worth, Jakarta–Los Angeles, Palembang–Houston, Cirebon–Austin, Bogor–St. Louis, and Surabaya–Seattle, along with ongoing discussions for a Jakarta–New York partnership.
The Indonesian Embassy committed to advancing the recommendations raised during the session, including expanding research cooperation, coordinating with relevant ministries in Indonesia, and supporting strategic sister-city initiatives. The Embassy reaffirmed its dedication to promoting knowledge exchange between Indonesia and the United States to accelerate inclusive, resilient, and innovative urban development. (*)
