Surabaya, Local Innovation Goes Global
Mayor Tri Rismaharini of Surabaya with other city leaders in Lee Kuan Yew Award.
Surabaya has been a strong advocate of innovation in urban development. The city has been acknowledged for its innovative idea in transforming into a clean and green thriving metropolis with improved quality of life. This achievement is inseparable from the leadership of Mayor Tri Rismaharini who has put great emphasis on inclusive and people-centric urban development. Adding to their list of achievements is the Special Mention by Lee Kuan Yew Award earning for Surabaya a renewed recognition alongside other global cities in the world. Among its many initiatives, Surabaya’s “Kampung Improvement Programme” is inspiring as it brings together local community participation to transform an unattractive environment into a clean and productive area. Initiatives on poverty alleviation include providing training, making available cheap credit by the national government and preparing the market to absorb the products have gained full support by the local community that this initiative has successfully enhanced the local economy. The city’s priority to allocate 35 percent of its annual budget to education is also exemplary as this has contributed to improve the literacy level of the community. In terms of urban space, Surabaya has allocated green open space has reached more than 20 percent of the city area. Surabaya will not only describe but demonstrate its innovations as it hosts the 7th UCLG ASPAC Congress this September with the theme “Innovation Driven Development for Sustainable Cities.”