At the end of 2023, the Nusantara Capital City Authority (OIKN: Otorita Ibu Kota Nusantara) issued a Circular regarding the release of a blueprint for the smart city of the Nusantara Capital City (IKN: Ibu Kota Nusantara). The purpose of this document is to provide direction and strategic guidance for all stakeholders in achieving the development vision of IKN, which is to build a city with a sustainable concept and to drive the economy in the future. Through a combination of the latest technology applications, active and passive infrastructure, the development of IKN is expected to achieve a balance between economic growth, environmental sustainability, and community welfare.
The Development Concept of IKN in the blueprint considers various existing situations and conditions. The development of IKN emphasizes the efficiency of water resources, low-emission transportation, and adequate waste management to ensure that the development of IKN contributes to the preservation of natural habitats, helps maintain biodiversity, and balances ecosystems. During this process, the authority prioritizes financial stability through effective budget management, providing incentives for businesses, and efficient tax collection, with a focus on infrastructure and service development.
The infrastructure referred to includes the provision of electricity, water, high-quality healthcare, and education services that can improve the quality of life and strengthen the city’s appeal to professionals, families, and companies seeking a growing and sustainable environment. This is believed to be achievable through inclusive decision-making principles based on shared aspirations, thereby achieving a more equitable distribution of resources and power for a population with diverse socio-cultural lives.
Throughout the process until 2045, many benchmarks for the progress and success of IKN’s development are determined. Development prioritizes the preservation of protected areas and green spaces and uses city designs that can adapt to local natural conditions. In addition, IKN also emphasizes the values of Pancasila and the motto “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” in every aspect of urban development planning. IKN is designed with the concept of an energy-efficient city, supported by infrastructure that facilitates access and short travel times. IKN emphasizes a city concept with a circular system, comfort, effectiveness, and efficiency based on technology and economic distribution in achieving sustainability aspects.
The relocation of the National Capital to Kalimantan is based on several considerations of regional advantages, namely:
- A strategic location in the middle of the Indonesian region and crossed by the Indonesian Archipelago Sea Lane (ALKI) II,
- Relatively complete infrastructure,
- Close proximity to two developed supporting cities, Balikpapan and Samarinda,
- Adequate government-controlled land availability for IKN development,
- Minimal risk of natural disasters.
Meanwhile, the benefits of relocating the National Capital are as follows:
- Providing more equitable access for the entire territory of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI: Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia),
- Encouraging the development of the Eastern Indonesian Region for regional equality,
- Shifting the development orientation from Java-centric to Indonesia-centric,
- The availability of extensive land can build a capital with a more dominant green area than the built-up area; and
- Reducing the burden on Java Island and Jabodetabek.
As a smart city, IKN emphasizes six main components: Smart Governance, Smart Transportation and Mobility, Smart Living, Smart Natural Resources and Energy, Smart Industry and Human Resources, and Smart Built Infrastructure and Environment. IKN emphasizes Smart Governance through the use of technology in government efficiency and transparency. IKN also recognizes Smart Transportation and Mobility in the development of intelligent public transportation and intelligent traffic management systems. In addition, Smart Living is also prioritized in its efforts to improve quality of life.
The next component, Smart Natural Resources and Energy, encourages IKN to optimize the use of natural resources and energy as a form of intelligent management system and energy efficiency initiative. IKN also emphasizes Smart Industry and Human Resources in the development of human resources to increase productivity. Smart Built Environment and Infrastructure are also main components in IKN, where IKN focuses on the development of smart and sustainable infrastructure.
Through this blueprint, OIKN hopes that all stakeholders have a sense of togetherness and are embraced in their efforts to develop the city development and development process, both government, private sector, and society. The blueprint also depicts a step forward for Indonesia and serves as a model for smart city development globally.
“The Nusantara Capital City is a capital city with the principle of a habitable city that provides various urban components that guarantee a good quality of life, such as clean water and air, orderly city planning, good accessibility, and safe and comfortable urban conditions. In addition, IKN is also built to have a strong cultural identity, pristine nature, and open public spaces for the expression activities of its citizens, so that it is hoped that this city will be loved by its citizens. Therefore, the foundation of a smart city plays an essential role. Technology-based information systems become the main tools to promote city service efficiency, resource management, and citizen security. The application of technological innovations also ensures the creation of digital inclusion and citizen involvement. By integrating technology in every aspect of urban life, the lives of IKN residents will become easier, safer, more resilient, and sustainable, ultimately leading to happier residents,” stated by the Head of OIKN.
