I am interested to learn how new cities were built from scratch, how the smart city concept can be implemented
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Public Works and Housing (PUPR) Minister Basuki Hadimuldjono has expressed the government's interest in learning how South Korea's smart city concept can be implemented in Indonesia.

During a meeting on the third day of the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP) in Glasgow, Scotland, Hadimuldjono told South Korea’s Environment Minister Han Jeoung-ae about his plan to visit South Korea at the end of 2021 to observe some smart city projects, such as the smart village in Eco Delta city, Songdo city, and Sejong city.

“I am interested to learn how new cities were built from scratch, how the smart city concept can be implemented,” he stated in a press release issued here on Thursday.

The ministry is keen on learning a lot from Korea’s experience since the Indonesian government is planning to develop a new state capital city (IKN) in East Kalimantan, the minister explained.

“Currently, the government has proposed the IKN Law draft to the House of Representatives to be further discussed and approved,” he said.

Hadimuldjono praised the infrastructure cooperation between the two countries which last held a bilateral meeting on May 2021 pertaining to the 2nd Asia International Water Week (AIWW), which will be held in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara.

The event was originally planned for November 2021, but it was postponed to March 2022, he said. The event will be held in both offline and online, or hybrid, format due to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in Indonesia, he informed.

He also expressed the hope that Minister Han and his delegation would attend the event.

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“I also expressed my appreciation to South Korea’s Environment Ministry for its support to strengthen the infrastructure cooperation, including the assistance of dam experts who were found to be very helpful. Other cooperations are related to the communication and information technology or ICT-based infrastructure development, particularly advanced hydrologic technology and Denpasar pilot project on smart water management,” he expounded.

IT utilization is expected to help collect up-to-date hydrological data and water information to realize sustainable and efficient water management, he said adding that two cooperations on IT utilization are being prepared.

During the meeting, Hadimuldjono also conveyed his plan to develop the dams utilized for renewable energy sources akin to hydropower utilization and solar panel installation at dams to generate electrical energy.

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Translator: Aji Cakti, Juwita Trisna R
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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