A spatial-based programme approach to water supply development in Indonesia

Abstract

Water provision is urgent in Indonesia. Currently, there are five water infrastructure systems programmed to improve the provision of water to users in Bandung City. These include a system for the south, two systems for the west, and two systems for the east of Metropolitan Bandung. Out of four phases, the first phase of the South System has been completed with four years of delay, while the following phases of the south, east, and west programmes are still being planned. This research investigated the delay in completing the first phase of the South System, which was scheduled for completion in 2015 as one of the Millennium Development Goals. The research recognises that organisational structure (central, provincial, local (city/regency) governmental, and other stakeholders) and organisational processes both play a significant role in the programmes’ completion. Consequently, this research developed a mixed-analytical approach from the disciplines of spatial planning and programme management, emerging from their respective literature, to create the concept of a “Spatial-Based Programme Approach”. This is a combined concept from both disciplines which draws on their respective concerns and strengths. It incorporates key aspects of spatial planning in integrating infrastructure components spatially, and key aspects of the programme approach in synergising related projects. Potentially, it may provide a new form of operation in the future development of water infrastructure programmes. By using the abductive research process, I propose the Spatial-Based Programme Approach to address the synergy problems revealed by the research within the development of a regional water system in Indonesia. By considering the outcomes from an extensive literature review, intensive discussions with key informants in Bandung and Jakarta, and following this abductive research process, this research confirms that the Spatial-Based Programme Approach is a convincing management approach to the development of water supply in Indonesia. Besides improving synergy, there may be certain other benefits for a programme in applying this approach, namely being more goal-oriented, adaptive and responsive to risks and changes, and promoting sustainable development. This research also recommends how to apply the Spatial-Based Programme Approach in the Indonesian context.