Yogyakarta, February 11, 2025 – The Urban and Regional Planning Study Program (PWK) of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held a public lecture titled Indonesian Cities: An Introduction for the General Public. The event featured Marco Kusumawijaya, the founder and senior advisor of Rujak Center for Urban Studies, as the main speaker. This lecture was part of the Community Development course and was open to both students and the general public.
The public lecture took place in Room K1, second floor, Department of Architecture and Planning (DTAP), Faculty of Engineering UGM. The event was opened by Prof. Ir. Bakti Setiawan, M.A., Ph.D., and accompanied by Widyasari Her Nugrahandika, S.T., M.Sc., the course instructor.
In his lecture, Marco Kusumawijaya discussed the development of urban planning in Indonesia, which began with trade centers. He explained how cities such as Ternate, Makassar, Tanjung Pinang, Batam, Aceh, and Bukittinggi grew due to economic and geographical factors, particularly as strategic coastal cities in trade. Over time, the development of these cities was also influenced by cultural factors that shaped the urban character in Indonesia.
The lecture is also relevant to efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, which emphasizes the importance of inclusive, sustainable urban planning and management based on local cultural and historical contexts. Understanding the history of urban development can serve as a foundation for formulating better policies and strategies to build livable and resilient cities in the future.
The lecture referred to ideas presented in the book Indonesian Cities: An Introduction for the General Public, which highlights the history, dynamics, and urban challenges in various regions. The discussions also provided insights for participants regarding urban planning patterns in Indonesia and how its history remains relevant to current planning practices.
The event received enthusiastic participation, with attendees actively discussing the dynamics of urban development and the challenges of urban planning in the future. With this public lecture, it is hoped that the understanding of the history and development of cities in Indonesia will continue to expand and serve as a reflection for future urban planning.
Source: https://pwk.archiplan.ugm.ac.id/kuliah-umum-kota-kota-indonesia-pengantar-untuk-orang-banyak/