The government has obliged any investors in the capital city project to follow the green city concept. To create an environmentally friendly city, the government will design an electricity-based transportation system.
By
NIKOLAUS HARBOWO
·3 minutes read
JAKARTA, KOMPAS - In the midst of the government\'s move to prepare a draft law on the capital city, a number of local and foreign companies have shown an interest to invest in the development of the new capital in East Kalimantan. The government has obliged any investors in the project to follow the green city concept.
To create an environmentally friendly city, the government will design an electricity-based transportation system, both for private vehicles and mass transportation. The city will also be based on a transit-oriented development (TOD) concept.
Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Pandjaitan said in Jakarta on Wednesday (26/2/2020) that at least 30 large companies had shown interest in investing in the new capital. The local and foreign companies are engaged in business fields from electricity to the automotive industry. Prospective foreign investors come from the United States, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Australia and China.
Luhut said all of these companies would support the concept of a green city. “We have asked [all of] them to provide high quality. We don\'t want [their involvement], if they don’t support a green city concept," Luhut said in a discussion titled "Knitting the Connectivity of the New Capital City" organized by the Kompas daily and the Transportation Ministry.
The discussion was also attended by Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, British Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor-Leste Owen Jenkins, and Kompas editor-in-chief Ninuk Mardiana Pambudy.
Luhut said the government would apply tight rules for driving in the new capital. Only environmentally friendly or electric vehicles (EV) would be allowed to enter the new capital city. "If you don’t come in an EV, you are not allowed to enter the city. If you wish to enter the city, you have to come in an electric car or by EV public transportation," said Luhut.
Connectivity
Minister Budi said the city development would also be based on a transit-oriented development concept, under which people could reach public transportation on foot.
"Connectivity for a city is very important, because with connectivity, accessibility or strategic location, the city will be convenient. That will be one of the elements of success of the new capital," Budi said. To support connectivity in the city, the government will also coordinate operations of two existing airports in East Kalimantan and will build a special airport for state guests or very very important persons (VVIP). The airport will be built at the end of 2021, about 15 kilometers from the center of the national capital.
Meanwhile, the secretary of the national capital study team of the National Development Planning Ministry, Hayu Parasati, said the draft law on the new capital city was being discussed. "It is estimated that all the draft laws and master plans will be ready in June, so that in July a soft ground-breaking event can be conducted, followed by preparations for physical development," he said.
Hayu added that connectivity would be the priority in the construction of the city, because the new capital and major cities around it, such as Samarinda and Balikpapan, should become engines of economic growth in eastern Indonesia.