Trenggalek strengthens communities, advances mobility initiatives

“Trenggalek is on the right track. Smart mobility provides opportunities for bringing in the strength of the community towards inclusive progress in local governance,” said Francis “Blue” Abaya, secretary general of CALD and former member of parliament from the Philippines, on this Indonesian city’s transportation and mobility initiatives.

“Trenggalek has shown that it draws strength from the people, and uses public dialogue to take up the challenge for further boosting its mobility and transportation services to improve tourism and the local business industry,” he added.

On June 6-10 2024, CALD organized a local government workshop in Trenggalek, Indonesia, focusing on the theme “Transforming Smart Mobility Ideas into Local Government Solutions.” The event, hosted by Trenggalek Mayor Mochamad Nur “Avin” Arifin with the support of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) for Freedom, was the third installment in CALD’s Smart Mobility workshops for local governments.

The three-day event was attended by delegates from Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand. Hon. Bartolome “Omie” Rivera, Jr., from the Municipality of San Mateo, Rizal, in the Philippines, and Councilor Dennis Hora from the Municipality of Panglao, Bohol, Philippines, were in attendance during the event. Both municipalities are CALD partners in building mobility plans for local governments.

Mayor Avin said that participating in the CALD workshop proved to be highly informative. “The insights gained from experiences in different municipalities and expertise shared by professionals have inspired us with valuable ideas for our future endeavors.”

Apart from mobility and transportation initiatives, Trenggalek also focuses on keeping the environment healthy, which is evident in its Gunung Jaas project, a forest city garden sprawling 40 hectares across Trenggalek, which Mayor Avin declared as a protected area. “I am confident that this workshop has the potential to propel us towards achieving the goal of a net-zero carbon city by 2045,” Mayor Avin added.

The delegates also visited the City Hall and Pasar Pon or the Trenggalek Mobility Hub to observe transportation infrastructure and experience firsthand the freedom of mobility through walking, biking, and even riding wheelchairs and walking blindfolded.

Karlo Abadines of AltMobilityPH, a group of policy advocates that promote sensible and humane transport policies, shares that “building for the most vulnerable in society is building for everyone’s accessibility.”

In the program, community consultation is a top priority. Representatives from the youth, women, PWDs, and elders participated to share their ideas and concerns on mobility challenges. Representatives from the transportation department, traffic management department, and mayor’s office were also present to listen to the community representatives and take note of red flags that needed to be addressed.

Gigih Widy Merbawani, a youth representative, shared that it was Trenggalek’s first time to host an international event. “This event has given us, people of Trenggalek, a new perspective on how to use a proper transportation as well as to build up the awareness to the community…the workshop brought such great impact and I’m sure the results will become the [baseline] for creating a better and more sustainable transportation in Trenggalek.”

The participants listed challenges in public transportation, road and pedestrian safety, road infrastructure, noise pollution, and congestion. Among the concerns were a lack of public transportation, a limited service area, short service hours, and unsignalized intersections.

While challenges are still present, the convening of the community and local government, however, proved to be helpful as they worked together on identifying the goals for each issue and listing short- and long-term plans to address them.

Some of the listed initiatives they plan to work on include: an incentive system for those who use bicycles; more people-centered infrastructure planning; compulsory insurance for vehicles; mobility campaign on the rights of pedestrians; and periodic community consultations; among others.

Apart from the CALD workshop, the festivities also coincided with activities of APKASI, or the Association of District Governments (Regencies) in Indonesia, which hosted a beauty pageant that promoted the potential of regional autonomy.

“We congratulate Mayor Avin for showing the kind of leadership that inspires communities to express their needs and ideas and allows them to work hand-in-hand with the local government in delivering inclusive and sustainable reforms on transportation and mobility services,” said Paolo Zamora, CALD program manager in-charge of the CALD Smart Mobility Project. “Trenggalek is a promising place. I will not be surprised if it becomes one of the main tourist destinations in Indonesia.”