Jakarta - The Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) gives awards to Regency/City Governments who have committed to improving urban settlements so that they have an impact on local economic growth and social resilience. Appreciation was handed over by PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono at the Peak Commemoration of World Habitat Day and World Cities Day (HHD-HKD) 2023 at the PUPR Ministry Auditorium, Monday (30/10/2023) evening.

The PUPR Ministry gave awards in two categories, namely Sustainable Conservation given to the Government of Sawahlunto City, Siak Regency, Semarang City, Tanjung Pinang City, Singkawang City and Ternate City. Furthermore, the Performance Optimization of Reuse, Reduce and Recycle (TPS-3R) Waste Management Achievements were awarded to Palangkaraya City accompanied by Central Kalimantan BPPW, Ternate City accompanied by North Maluku BPPW, Kediri Regency accompanied by East Java BPPW, and Sleman Regency accompanied by DIY BPPW. A special award was also given to the Sanitation Technology Center, Directorate General (Ditjen) of Human Settlements, Ministry of PUPR.

PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono expressed his appreciation to the Regency/City Governments for continuing to show their commitment to implementing sustainable city preservation and improving TPS-3R management.

"I think that with the assessment of sustainable conservation cities and good management of TPS-3R, I would like to give appreciation to all award winners of IDR 5 billion in the form of development programs through the Directorate General of Human Settlements for 2024," said Minister Basuki.

Minister Basuki said that appreciation for sustainable conservation was given to be an example for other districts/cities in preserving urban heritage and encouraging the spirit of utilization and preservation of cultural heritage. Meanwhile, appreciation for optimizing the performance of TPS-3R was given as an effort to disseminate information regarding the importance of the waste management system and the use of TPS-3R in circular economy practices by sorting waste.

"I think we have to really appreciate heritage cities as sustainable conservation. For TPS-3R management, if the implementation is good in one city, continue in another city. Only in that way can we create better cities in the future," said Minister Basuki.

According to Minister Basuki, the ideals expressed in the momentum of World Habitat Day and World Cities Day must start now and by everyone. Not only infrastructure support, but also changing people's behavior to get used to living in a lovable city.

"With better quality infrastructure, hopefully we will have a city that is comfortable and makes us more productive. A good city is a city that makes its citizens more productive because of sufficient water, sanitation and good connectivity," said Minister Basuki.

The assessment of sustainable cultural heritage appreciation was carried out on 15 districts/cities that were committed to preserving heritage cities with assessment criteria including governance and institutions, design, educational information and promotion, heritage economy, development of cultural life. Meanwhile, the assessment appreciates the optimization of TPS-3R's performance in waste management with technical completeness assessment criteria, average waste generation entering TPS-3R, percentage of waste recycled, percentage of leftover food/tree waste, and percentage of waste transported to TPA.

"Hopefully the momentum of commemorating World Habitat Day and World Cities Day this year can inspire us all to build urban areas that are orderly and free of slum settlements," said Director General of Human Settlements Diana Kusumastuti.

The commemoration of World Habitat Day and World Cities Day in 2023 takes the National Theme "Resilient Urban Economy towards Sustainable Housing for All" with the aim of remembering the enormous contribution of cities to the national economy. The peak event of HHD and HKD 2023 was also filled with a talk show with the theme "Resilient City Economy" presenting as speakers the Deputy Governor of East Java Emil Elestianto Dardak, Entrepreneur Gita Irawan Wiryawan, and Plt. Deputy for Regional Development of the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas Tri Dewi Virgiyanti.

The event was also attended by Middle and Primary Officials within the Ministry of PUPR as well as Heads of Regional Settlement Infrastructure Centers throughout Indonesia, regional heads and the Young Generation of PUPR. (*)

Public Communications Bureau Ministry of PUPR

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