The planned capital city is expected to become a storefront of new civilization of Indonesian people that is environment-friendly and sustainable.Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Environmental Affairs and Forestry Ministry confirmed that the design of the new capital city, to be located in East Kalimantan, will apply the principles of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The design will be drafted through cooperation and collaborations among various domestic and foreign parties, including the Griffith University in Australia, Agus Justianto, head of the ministry's research and innovation development department, stated here on Friday.
The ministry has renewed cooperation with Griffith University, initiated since 2002, he revealed.
The existing cooperation has resulted in the formation of a Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development for Indonesia (CESDI), he pointed out.
The CESDI's main topic is the application of SDG principles, low-carbon development initiatives, and climate resilience in the next capital city.
"Through this cooperation, the CESDI can make the new capital city in East Kalimantan a laboratory for sustainable development at the footprint level," he stated after signing a renewed cooperation agreement with Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia, on Thursday.
The agreement was inked by Agus Justianto and Deputy President of Griffith University Professor Sarah Todd.
Related news: New capital city to accommodate population of three million: minister
Related news: New capital opens avenues for green city development: GGGI
The planned capital city is expected to become a vanguard of the new civilization of Indonesian people that is environment-friendly and sustainable, Justianto said.
Australia has been viewed as a success story for the relocation of its capital city to Canberra, known as the bush capital, as it was encircled by forest and located in a hinterland area.
National Development Planning Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro has time and again drawn reference to Canberra for Indonesia's plan to move its capital from Jakarta to East Kalimantan.
The Joko Widodo (Jokowi) administration has made assurance that development of the capital city will not harm the environment and vowed that East Kalimantan’s forests will remain intact. This comes after the government announced that parts of the districts of North Penajam Paser and Kutai Kertanegara in East Kalimantan Province would be the location for the country’s new capital expected to be inaugurated in 2024, the year when Jokowi’s second term will end.
President Jokowi informed the media on August 26, 2019, that the two districts were selected, as they faced the least risks from natural disasters, including floods, earthquake, tsunamis, forest fires, and landslides.
Furthermore, their strategic location in the heart of Indonesia and near Balikpapan and Samarinda that are developed cities adds to their pros. Hence, basic infrastructure and facilities already exist. Besides this, the government owns 180 thousand hectares of land there.
Related news: Kalimantan forest to remain intact despite capital development
Related news: Environmental study of new capital by November
Translator: Subagyo, Fardah
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
