Revitalizing Informal Settlements and their Environments Water-Sensitive Informal Settlement Upgrading - Bambang Susantono

Speech by Bambang Susantono, ADB Vice President for Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development, at the launch of the publication Revitalizing Informal Settlements and their Environments (RISE) Water-Sensitive Informal Settlement Upgrading, 25 March 2021

Mayor of Makassar, Bapak Danny Pomanto; Representative of Director-General Cipta Karya, PUPR; Deputy Head of Mission Fenn; Consul-General Robbins; distinguished colleagues, ladies, and gentlemen: 

It is a great pleasure to join the launch of the three publications, the result of a two-year ADB Technical Assistance project that piloted a water-sensitive approach. The project aimed to improve the environment, health, and wellbeing of two communities―one in Makassar, Indonesia and the other in Suva, Fiji. These pilots have supported the Revitalization of Informal Settlements and their Environments program, or RISE, a larger five-year research initiative that investigates the health impacts of using a water sensitive approach. 

What we have presented through the program is an innovation that uses land planning and engineering design to integrate all aspects of water management into urban design. 

The co-benefits of this innovative approach have already become clear. First, it maximizes community gains―especially for the poor and vulnerable. In Makassar, the community’s direct involvement in designing the pilot site in Batua ensured relevance and ownership. The community members were also trained with local government officials on decentralizing water and sanitation technologies.  Second, it minimizes environmental damage, while improving aesthetic and recreational appeal of the new facilities.

These three publications are important to show that nature-based solutions and participatory approach work well in cities of Asia and the Pacific. You would ask: How can we best approach urban water management, while ensuring community participation? The publications help us answer this question through documenting project lessons and experiences and offering useful ideas and recommendations.  

I visited the Batua demonstration site in October 2019 and March 2020. I was heartened to see how the community contributed knowledge to the project and gained ownership in the process. The infrastructure was built and is now owned by the community. It was technically innovative, having used artificial wetlands in a narrow space to harness the power of nature in treating wastewater. Effective harvesting of rainwater and enhanced flood protection are among the key benefits.  

The approach piloted in Batua also aligns with Indonesia’s Smart Living Concept, which will increase access for the poor to safely managed sanitation and is promoted by the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, or PUPR. We hope these publications will inspire other local authorities and the private sector to apply innovative water management in urban planning and design.

Various types of innovative urban management techniques are gaining grounds in ADB’s developing members. ADB is being approached by cities across Asia and the Pacific to provide them with the technical knowledge and means to implement it. We are ready to work together with PUPR’s Directorate General Cipta Karya to further test and upscale various types of innovative urban management techniques and help make Indonesian cities more livable and sustainable.

Let me close by expressing my highest appreciation to local governments of Makassar and Suva, Monash University, and other RISE development partners. I also acknowledge the support from two ADB Trust Funds, which provided grant funding―the Urban Climate Change and Resilience Trust Fund and Urban Environment Infrastructure Fund. 

Finally, to everyone who contributed to the success of the RISE program, a very heartfelt thank you, and have a very good day.