Balikpapan – The Institut Teknologi Kalimantan (ITK) was selected as one of the official site visit locations during the field visit conducted by Indonesia’s Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas), in collaboration with the Balikpapan City Government, the East Kalimantan Provincial Government, and other stakeholders on Wednesday (July 8). The visit was part of the preparation of the Infrastructure Governance Assessment (IGA), Feasibility Study (FS), and Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) under the Indonesia Sustainable Cities Impact Program (SCIP), supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the World Bank.

The Karang Joang Corridor has been designated as a priority area due to its strategic role as an urban expansion zone, a buffer for Indonesia’s future capital city (IKN), a vital water catchment area, and its proximity to important conservation sites, including the Sungai Wain Protected Forest. Through this initiative, the government aims to prepare sustainable infrastructure investment plans while ensuring environmental and social sustainability.

As part of the agenda, ITK was selected as one of the field visit locations and recognized as a key academic stakeholder contributing scientific perspectives to the study. The visit focused on exploring ITK’s potential in energy conservation, low-carbon technology implementation, and research collaboration to support the sustainable development of the Karang Joang Corridor.

The site visit included observations at several strategic locations within the Karang Joang area, including Manggar Reservoir and the KM 12 Water Treatment Plant (IPAM), the KM 12 Integrated Waste Processing Facility (TPST), Balikpapan Botanical Garden, Embung Wain, Sungai Wain Protected Forest, and the Institut Teknologi Kalimantan. These visits aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the area's current conditions, including water resource resilience, waste management, biodiversity conservation, and opportunities for technology and research-based innovation.

As a technology-oriented university in East Kalimantan, ITK is considered to have a strategic role in supporting regional development through its academic expertise, research capacity, and technological innovation. Within the study, ITK is expected to provide science-based recommendations on energy management, water resources, waste management, climate resilience, and technological solutions that contribute to sustainable development.

ITK’s involvement at this early stage of the IGA, FS, and ESIA preparation also opens opportunities for stronger collaboration between government, academia, and development partners in producing evidence-based policies and recommendations. Ultimately, the development of the Karang Joang Corridor is expected to balance infrastructure development with ecological conservation while strengthening Balikpapan’s role as a supporting city for Indonesia’s future capital.