Renowned US University Professor Visits IKN, Offers Unexpected Praise

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – A professor from the University of Maryland in the United States, Prof. Thomas C. Hilde, Ph.D, had the opportunity to visit the Nusantara Capital City (IKN) in Penajem Paser Utara, East Kalimantan. After touring and observing IKN firsthand, Thomas asserted that Nusantara is a project designed with careful consideration, integrating social, environmental, technological and human development dimensions holistically.

When asked to describe IKN in a single word, he called it “inspirational” – a source of global inspiration about how green development can be realised in practice, whilst serving as a beacon for future cities.

“I think this is a truly ambitious project that is extraordinary because we are at a point where we need such ambition when it comes to a green future, when it comes to addressing climate change, loss of biodiversity, and that is an ambition that is rarely seen, and I am very pleased to see it happening in Indonesia like this,” he said, quoted on Saturday (28/2/2026).

He also openly called the IKN project highly inspiring. He stated this is the world’s best green project – how a state infrastructure project is combined with the concept of wildlife conservation and forest preservation.

“A country that is rich in its natural resources and its human resources, and that is truly a wildlife and beautiful landscape, an ambition that is very important here, and what my colleagues are talking about is an inspiration for the world, and I very much hope this project moves forward and can truly become a light shining as a model for green development throughout the world,” he said.

Thomas also mentioned that he had the opportunity to meet directly with IKN Authority Chief Basuki Hadimuljono and his team. He also praised the approach taken by Indonesia, noting that the IKN project has significant impact.

“I am very pleased to see it. I think inspiration, I think that is the right word,” he concluded.