ITB Expert Reveals the Reality of Housing and Infrastructure Development in Indonesia

By Adi Permana

Editor Adi Permana

BANDUNG, itb.ac.id - The School of Architecture, Planning, and Policy Development (SAPPD) at Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) recently hosted a webinar titled "Research, Technology, and Policy for Sustainable Housing Development in Indonesia Towards Indonesia Emas 2045." The webinar, conducted through a Zoom meeting, centered around the topic of sustainable housing in Indonesia on Thursday, July 20th, 2023.

The event showcased various industry experts, such as Dr. Ir. Agustinus Adib Abadi, M.Sc., a lecturer from the Housing and Settlement Expertise Group at SAPPK ITB. He successfully finished his bachelor's degree in Architecture at ITB and pursued further education by obtaining a Master's degree at The Bartlett School of Architecture and Planning, University College London, followed by a Ph.D. in Architecture at ITB.

Dr. Adib possesses extensive expertise in the field of housing research, specifically focusing on topics such as affordability, adaptive living, slum settlements, and the socio-economic implications on housing characteristics. He has also authored multiple publications on these topics. In this webinar, Dr. Adib presented a presentation titled "The Reality of Housing Infrastructure Development in Indonesia Today and the Role of Academics."

During his presentation, Dr. Adib highlighted the importance of considering sustainable housing as an integral component of a broader system, encompassing buildings and facilities that contribute to the well-being of the community. Additionally, he emphasized that numerous housing developments in Indonesia are being executed without adequate planning, resulting in problems such as traffic congestion, subpar infrastructure quality, and the emergence of slum settlements.

During the discussion, it was highlighted that the absence of thorough planning in housing development leads to a significant number of homes lacking sufficient access to essential public infrastructure and facilities, such as transportation, clean water, and waste disposal systems. He mentioned that this results in a range of social issues, such as air pollution and challenges in accessing education and healthcare.

As an academician, Dr. Adib emphasized the importance of academics in voicing aspirations and providing solutions to the housing development challenges in Indonesia. He proposed that engaging in research activities, fostering community involvement, and collaborating with government and industries could be effective strategies for attaining sustainable housing development objectives.

The webinar served as a forum for scholars, professionals, government representatives, and the general public to engage in dialogue and explore potential remedies for the housing development issues faced in Indonesia. By fostering collaboration and conducting extensive research, it is anticipated that Indonesia can progress towards the vision of Indonesia Emas 2045 by developing sustainable and high-quality housing solutions.

Reporter: Hafsah Restu Nurul Annafi

Translator: Anggi Nurdiani

Editor: Vera Citra Utami