Exploring the Potential of City Twinning for Sustainable Urban Development

From October to December 2024, Yokohama City, Japan, implemented a new project aimed at developing urban planning professionals by hosting officials from Balikpapan, Indonesia, as trainees. In this article, we report on the background of this project, the details of the training, technical exchanges with companies, and the outcomes of the initiative.

Indonesia’s Capital Relocation Plan

Indonesia is progressing with its plan to relocate the capital from Jakarta to the new capital, Nusantara. Balikpapan, a port city in East Kalimantan with a population of approximately 700,000, is expected to experience rapid growth as a neighboring city to the new capital, serving as a hub for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), commercial, and business functions. Recognizing the importance of developing the greater metropolitan area surrounding the new capital, the Indonesian government is prioritizing Balikpapan’s development. Additionally, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is providing advice on construction quality and metropolitan area development for the new capital.

Connections with Balikpapan City

The connection with Balikpapan City dates back to 2022. In December of that year, the Minister of Indonesia’s National Development Planning (BAPPENAS) visited Yokohama and showed great interest in the city’s urban development experience, including the Minato Mirai 21 district. In October 2023, Yokohama City dispatched municipal staff to participate in JICA’s metropolitan area development study, conducting a joint field survey of the new capital’s metropolitan region. Balikpapan City is facing urban challenges due to economic growth and population increase, and further population growth is expected with the development of the new capital. Given its proximity to the capital and its role as a port city, Balikpapan looks to Yokohama, which has successfully addressed various urban challenges arising from economic growth and population increase, as a valuable source of expertise.

For the sustainable development and growth of a city, it is essential to have skilled professionals responsible for urban development planning and addressing urban challenges.

In November 2023, during the 12th Asia Smart City Conference, a meeting was held between senior officials of the National Development Planning Agency, the Mayor of Balikpapan, and the Mayor of Yokohama. During the meeting, Balikpapan expressed its desire to send trainees to Yokohama for capacity building. Following this, practical discussions involving JICA were conducted, ultimately leading to the launch of the current training project.

Training Program

A total of four officials from Balikpapan City and the National Development Planning Agency participated in the training program, staying in Yokohama for approximately two months. During their stay, they attended lectures by city department representatives and external experts, conducted site visits, and engaged in technical exchanges with companies to learn from Yokohama’s urban development experiences.

One of the key objectives of the training was to apply Yokohama’s urban development expertise to the upcoming formulation of Balikpapan City’s urban development master plan and related projects. To facilitate this, the training program was structured with a progressive focus: starting with general urban planning in Japan, moving to Yokohama’s comprehensive urban planning, and culminating in the development of the Minato Mirai 21 district. Through weekly thematic lectures and on-site visits, the trainees gradually deepened their understanding. Additionally, considering the trainees’ interests, the program included sector-specific initiatives such as water supply and sewage management, as well as waste management. These topics were explored through facility visits, meetings with relevant city departments, and networking sessions with companies, allowing participants to collaboratively discuss solutions to specific urban challenges.

Balikpapan City’s Urban Challenges and Engagement with Companies

This training program aimed not only to support capacity building for Balikpapan City officials but also to create opportunities for trainees to connect with companies and explore solutions through private-sector technologies. During the training period, the trainees participated in the Asia Smart City Conference (ASCC), where they took the stage in a pitch session alongside other cities and companies. In their presentation, they highlighted Balikpapan City’s urban challenges related to water supply. Additionally, they actively visited exhibition booths of ASCC participant companies to learn about various technologies and solutions offered by exhibitors.

Sector-Specific Meetings Between Trainees and Companies

Following the Asia Smart City Conference (ASCC), sector-specific meetings were organized between the trainees and companies. Building on their experiences and insights from ASCC, the trainees engaged in in-depth discussions on key topics of interest, such as water supply and sewage management, waste management, green buildings, and transportation. To facilitate deeper discussions on Balikpapan City’s challenges and potential corporate solutions, technical exchange sessions and individual meetings were held, with participation from 10 exhibiting companies. These meetings provided an opportunity not only to learn about issues and technologies in each field but also to exchange views on the feasibility of introducing these technologies and potential collaboration frameworks. As a result, both the trainees and the participating companies were able to gain a deeper understanding of each other’s perspectives.

Outcomes of the Training Program

As a culmination of the two-month training program, a final presentation ceremony was held on December 5, where the trainees presented their findings. Each trainee selected a research theme, focusing on one of the following topics: 1) Urban Development Planning Systems, 2) Water, 3) Green Buildings, and 4) Waste Management. During the final presentation ceremony, they discussed the challenges related to their chosen themes, the insights gained from Yokohama’s initiatives, and policy recommendations for Indonesia and Balikpapan City.

In addition to the insights shared by the trainees during the final presentation ceremony, Yokohama City identified various benefits related to the promotion of the Yokohama’s international technical cooperation initiative through public and private partnership, including the following aspects:

• The practical examples and strengths of Yokohama City from various departments were documented and compiled into materials through the creation of lecture content.
• Staff from the International Bureau of the City of Yokohama participated consistently in lectures and site visits, providing an opportunity for Yokohama City employees to acquire new knowledge.
• The program was featured in multiple media outlets, creating opportunities for international promotion of Yokohama City’s international technical cooperation efforts.

The training program has received high praise not only from the trainees but also from the National Development Planning Agency, and it is expected to be beneficial in the formulation of Balikpapan City’s master plan and various projects in the future. Furthermore, this training provided Yokohama City and local companies with an opportunity to understand the urban challenges faced by Balikpapan City. It has also led to discussions with relevant organizations aimed at specific technical cooperation projects and the introduction of private sector solutions. The City of Yokohama plans to continue follow-up efforts to further enhance collaboration in the future.

Voices of the Trainees

At the end of this article, we would like to share some comments from the trainees who participated in the program:

• “I was able to directly experience how an advanced city like Yokohama addresses urban challenges, which is incredibly valuable for applying these insights to our own city.”
• “This training provided me with a new perspective on urban planning. I learned the importance of planning cities in collaboration with the private sector and positioning the community as a key player in development, rather than relying solely on traditional business models.”
• “The growing economy and development needs of Balikpapan present new opportunities for companies based in Yokohama to expand their businesses in the fields of renewable energy, smart city technologies, and infrastructure.”
• “By implementing pilot projects that demonstrate effective solutions to the challenges faced by Balikpapan, which align with Yokohama’s expertise, we can attract further investment and expand our collaboration.”