Restoring Tropical Forest and Biocultural Diversity in Urban and Peri-Urban Areas

Background and Rationale

Indonesia and several other countries are building new cities that ambitiously aim to be examples of sustainable cities. Various environmental development standards are being attempted, including those related to climate change control, biodiversity protection, achieving targets in the 11th SDGs goal, and the New Urban Agenda. The challenges in sustainable city development involve ensuring the availability of policies, efforts, and adequate space to restore the environment and preserve the remaining ecosystems in urban and surrounding areas. Additionally, not all new city developments exist in a social vacuum. There are communities and cultures in various forms that should also be integral parts of urban environmental development.

Indonesia is currently building its new capital on Kalimantan Island. The capital, named Nusantara, is being constructed to become a sustainable forest city. The development of Nusantara takes place on the landscape of former tropical forests that have undergone conversion for decades. This poses a significant challenge as city construction must proceed simultaneously with ecosystem restoration efforts.

Discussing recent research results, policy experiences, and practices will be beneficial for governments engaged in new city development. Indonesia which is constructing its new Capital requires various perspectives based on research findings and proven experiences in developing its forest city. This conference is expected to gather thoughts that support these objectives.

Objectives

1. To discuss current issues in research and technology on forest management, biodiversity, and human ecology in tropical ecosystem
2. To discuss policy making and implementation of environmental management in the development of sustainable cities 
3. To strengthen networks of grassroots initiatives, policymakers, academia, and practitioners on forest city