Emerging Cities

Given Indonesia’s diversity, the country’s regional policy is crucial to sustainable progress. In the past, under Jakarta- and Java-based regimes, centralisation was seen as the best way forward. The post-Suharto era, however, has seen Indonesia move away from this concentration of power towards an approach that seeks to distribute authority and investment more evenly throughout the country’s many diverse regions. While this policy has not always lived up to expectations, it has seen a greater flow of investment into Indonesia’s second-tier cities, opening up new opportunities for investors.

This chapter contains interviews with Tri Rismaharini, Mayor of Surabaya; and Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, Governor, Yogyakarta Special Region.