Editor’s Note
- Bobby Nasution Emphasizes the Importance of Urban Planning in North Sumatra
- Seven Key Urban Planning Issues That Must Be Seriously Addressed
- Prioritization in Tourism Areas
Bobby Nasution Emphasizes the Importance of Urban Planning in North Sumatra
Urban planning is a key issue emphasized by North Sumatra Governor Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution after the 2026 Central and Regional Government Coordination Meeting (Rakor).
Urban planning is expected to have a direct impact on tourism, investment, and the region’s competitiveness.
This urban planning was a direct mandate from Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto during the Central and Regional Government Coordination Meeting. This mandate aligns with Bobby Nasution’s focus on urban planning, particularly in North Sumatra.
“The President has given this instruction five times, specifically because Medan Raya (Medan, Binjai, and Deliserdang) is one of the pilot areas for waste-to-energy that will be developed by Danantara,” said Bobby Nasution during the Regional Action Plan for Urban and Tourism Development event at the Raja Inal Siregar Hall, Jalan Diponegoro No. 30, Medan, on Friday, February 6, 2026.
Seven Urban Planning Issues That Need Urgent Addressing
Bobby Nasution listed at least seven urban planning issues that require urgent attention. These seven issues include waste management, slums, illegal land reclamation, utilities such as cables and lighting, sidewalks, billboards, and sewerage.
“Take billboards, for example: establish proper regulations so they don’t accumulate in one place. Communication cables, internet, and electricity are still a mess. Coordinate with the relevant parties. Street lighting: perhaps your budget isn’t sufficient. My suggestion is to use a public-private partnership (PPP) for things like lighting. Waste management is feasible. If the budget is too low, we’re happy to help,” said Bobby Nasution.
Organization is prioritized in tourist areas
Furthermore, Bobby Nasution asked all government officials, the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI), and the Indonesian Police Force (Polri) to help organize and maintain the city’s cleanliness, especially in tourist areas, so that urban planning can proceed more quickly and efficiently.
“This is our major shared responsibility: cleaning up litter in public places, roads, and public facilities. Regions must develop their own strategies, especially those with tourist areas. If necessary, establish a management body,” said Bobby Nasution.
Also present at the meeting were the Vice Governor of North Sumatra, Surya, the Acting Regional Secretary of North Sumatra Province, Sulaiman Harahap, and the North Sumatra Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda). Seventeen regional administrators from across North Sumatra, as well as relevant regional government departments (OPDs) of the North Sumatra provincial government, and relevant district/city OPDs, were also present. ***obs
