West Java Public Works and Housing Agency head Dicky Saromi said that the agency had shortlisted the three areas after conducting a city planning study, which was mandated by regional government regulation (Perda) No. 22/2010 on urban planning. Based on socioeconomic and regulatory research, Kertajati was awarded the highest overall score. 

Dicky said that after conducting the study, they decided to keep the gubernatorial seat in Bandung and to move only the agency offices.

He also said there would be no problem if the capital city were separated from the administration center.

The administration center in South Kalimantan is located in Banjarbaru while the capital remains Banjarmasin. The North Maluku provincial administration has also transferred its capital city – from Ternate to Sofifi. 

The relocation study found that the new center would require 243 hectares of land, including 92 hectares for a business center.

 “We still have a long way to go. We are considering adopting a smart city, smart building and smart area concept,” Dicky said.

Although the new location for the West Java administration center has not been confirmed, some realtors are already offering to sell land to the public, as revealed by several ads on Bandung's busy streets. (dpk)

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