Jakarta, INTI - The South Sulawesi Provincial Government has partnered with Institut Teknologi Bandung, through its Spatial Data Infrastructure Center, to strengthen the use of geospatial data in technology-driven, smart development planning.
This collaboration aims to improve the quality of regional development planning by utilizing spatial data that is more accurate, up-to-date, and well-integrated.
Acting Head of the South Sulawesi Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappelitbangda), Irawan Dermayasamin, stated that Geo-AI plays a crucial role in regional development across various strategic sectors.
He explained that Geo-AI applications span agriculture, spatial planning, environmental management, disaster mitigation, and smart city development.
“A geospatial approach is essential to support mapping, analyze the relationship between land use and disaster risks, and formulate integrated mitigation strategies within regional development planning,” he noted.
Development Challenges and the Urgency of Geospatial Data
Irawan highlighted that current regional development challenges include increasing flood risks, land cover changes, and the decline of water catchment areas.
These conditions further emphasize the urgency of utilizing accurate geospatial data to improve decision-making, particularly in disaster-prone areas across South Sulawesi.
Data Optimization and Global Technology Support
Head of the ITB Spatial Data Infrastructure Center, Budhy Soeksmantono, stressed the principle promoted by Indonesia’s Geospatial Information Agency in data management.
He emphasized the concept of “collect once, use many times” as an efficient approach to maximizing geospatial data utilization.
Budhy noted that large-scale geospatial data at a 1:5,000 level is already available across Sulawesi and serves as a critical foundation for development policies.
He added that optimizing geospatial data usage depends on four key components: data, platforms, human resources, and regulatory frameworks.
“Without these four elements, geospatial data utilization will not be optimal,” he emphasized.
Budhy also pointed out that geospatial data acts as an “invisible layer” that plays a significant role in decision-making processes.
Meanwhile, Evelyn Sun, GM of Regional Center SuperMap GIS Beijing, explained that geospatial technologies powered by big data and 3D capabilities offer significant benefits for local governments, particularly in disaster management and urban planning.
“This workshop has been highly productive. Participants explored various technologies for disaster management, including references from China, Malaysia, and Japan,” she said.
Conclusion
The collaboration between the South Sulawesi Provincial Government and Institut Teknologi Bandung highlights the increasing importance of Geo-AI in enabling data-driven and resilient regional development. By integrating advanced geospatial technologies with strategic planning, the initiative is expected to improve decision-making, strengthen disaster mitigation efforts, and support the realization of smarter and more sustainable cities in Indonesia.
Read more: Google and Intel Expand Strategic Collaboration to Boost Global AI Infrastructure