Managing Sustainable Infrastructure and Urban Development: Shaping a Better Future for ASEAN

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has assigned a high priority to supporting regional development in Southeast Asia. As the ASEAN countries continue to urbanize rapidly, shaping sustainable cities becomes increasingly important, particularly with regard to the development of adequate infrastructures. Infrastructure is a critical element in connectivity within the ASEAN region, and with significant growth in ASEAN trade and investment, productivity and growth must be sustained and enhanced by investing more resources in urban infrastructure.

The growth and diversification of the ASEAN economy depends on financing and developing long-term infrastructures, with adequate planning, funding, building and operation of urban infrastructure mechanisms for the development of sustainable cities. Urban sustainability provides opportunities for capital investment through urban renewal and infrastructure improvements. Public-private partnerships can be used to accelerate city development by attracting private sector funding for the development of sustainable infrastructure.

Urban infrastructure encompasses the essential facilities, services, and social structures that ensure the productivity and well-being of cities and communities. Transport, housing, telecommunication, energy, and water infrastructure are among the basic infrastructures that are necessary for urban development and growth. Societal wellbeing also depends on other infrastructures, including various forms of social infrastructure. Meeting the challenges of city development, from traffic jams and inefficient buildings to social inequality and poverty, demands innovative urban planning and technological and governance models that enable cities to become more sustainable. It is clear that the trend toward accelerated urbanization creates greater opportunities for economic growth and improving quality of life, and urban ecosystems and green infrastructure development are important assets for the sustainable city.

Advancing Urban Infrastructure Development

In this special edition of IJTech, we are pleased to present twenty two selected papers from the first CSID AUN-SCUD International Conference on Sustainable Infrastructure and Urban Development 2018 and the Scholar Summit 2017 on shaping a better world by enhancing research capacity and contributions to address national, regional, and global challenges. The conferences were organized by the ASEAN University Network (AUN) for Sustainable Cities and Urban Development, the Center for Sustainable Infrastructure Development (CSID), and Universitas Indonesia. The event attracted papers and presentations from ASEAN countries and from the United Kingdom, the United States, China, and elsewhere. As a medium for best practice and knowledge exchange, the CSID AUN-SCUD conference discusses sustainable development issues and how governments, academics, and industry can contribute to shaping a better future for society.