UI Presents Smart and Sustainable City Development at THE GSDC 2026

The University of Indonesia (UI) has presented its approach to sustainable urban development at the Times Higher Education (THE) Global Sustainable Development Congress (GSDC) 2026 in Tangerang, Banten, held from 22 to 25 June 2026. Ahmad Gamal, UI’s Vice Rector for Planning, Finance, and Resources, stated that utilising artificial intelligence and updated data for city planning, strengthening infrastructure resilience against climate risks, and fostering cross-sector collaboration are essential for building a sustainable smart city ecosystem. In his presentation titled ‘From Smart Technologies to Smart Urban Management: Lessons from Indonesia and the Global South’, Gamal highlighted a paradigm shift in smart city development. He argued that a city’s success is no longer determined solely by technological sophistication, but by its ability to strengthen urban governance, promote sustainability, and create social justice. Gamal also emphasised five key aspects of smart city development: data-driven spatial governance, managing urban growth, measuring success through sustainability indicators, strengthening urban resilience to climate change, and reducing inequality so that the benefits of technology and development are felt equally by all citizens. He asserted that the evolution of the smart city concept shows a shift from a focus on data collection towards the ability to manage urban transformation holistically. According to him, the successful city of the future is not the one with the most advanced technology, but the one capable of using technology to create a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable environment. Through its exhibition booth and active participation in various discussion sessions, UI promoted its international programmes, partnership opportunities in the field of sustainability, and green innovations created by its academic community. This participation served as a momentum for UI to expand its global network, exchange knowledge, learn global best practices, and explore strategic collaborations with various international institutions. UI’s participation in THE GSDC 2026 reflects the university’s commitment to contributing to the resolution of various global challenges, while strengthening its role as a strategic partner in advancing sustainable development in Indonesia and the world.