andung City Advances New Investment Opportunities Through Public Lighting, Electric Public Transport, and Sports Tourism Projects
The Bandung City Government continues to strengthen investment as a key driver of regional economic growth.
After recording approximately IDR 11 trillion in realized investment in 2025, the city is now preparing a series of strategic projects for potential investors, including public street lighting, electric public transportation, vertical housing developments, and the revitalization of sports facilities.
Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan stated that these initiatives form part of the government's strategy to modernize public services while creating new investment opportunities for the private sector.
"Investment realization in 2025 reached around IDR 11 trillion. We are now pursuing new investments related to public services and the continued development of Bandung," Farhan said at Bandung City Hall on June 18, 2026.
One of the projects currently being prepared is the installation of approximately 850 new Public Street Lighting (PJU) units through an investment partnership scheme.
Farhan explained that the project will not be financed entirely through the Regional Budget (APBD). Instead, it will utilize an investment model in which private investors fund and install the infrastructure upfront, while the government pays for the service after it becomes operational under a "buy-the-service" arrangement.
"For example, with street lighting, investors procure and install the facilities first. Once the system is operational, the government pays for the service. This means the investment is not fully funded through the regional budget," he explained.
According to Farhan, this approach enables the government to accelerate infrastructure development without being constrained by fiscal limitations.
Beyond street lighting, the Bandung City Government is also preparing a major transformation of the public transportation sector through the development of electric public transport vehicles.
Farhan described the electric minibus (angkot) project as one of the city's most attractive investment opportunities, with the potential to reshape public transportation in Bandung.
"The most exciting project at the moment is electric angkot. We want residents to become interested in using public transportation again. That is why it must be attractive, comfortable, modern, and environmentally friendly," he said.
He acknowledged that one of the current challenges facing public transportation is declining public interest in conventional angkot services.
To address this issue, the government plans not only to improve operational systems but also to introduce more appealing vehicle designs to restore public confidence in mass transportation.
The project is being developed through collaboration among the Bandung City Government, the Government of West Java Province, and private investors.
"We want to showcase a new face of public transportation in Bandung. If people find it comfortable and attractive, public transport usage will naturally increase," Farhan added.
The city government is also encouraging the development of vertical housing as a solution to limited land availability in urban areas.
Farhan explained that the initiative aligns with a national policy introduced by the Ministry of Housing and Settlement Areas.
Under the proposed scheme, government agencies provide the land, while private investors finance and construct the developments.
"The concept is simple. The land comes from the government or state-owned enterprises, private investors carry out the construction, and the completed units are marketed to the public. It is a model that benefits all parties involved," he said.
Several potential sites are currently being prepared, including land owned by PT Kereta Api Indonesia and other government-owned assets that have yet to be utilized optimally.
According to Farhan, vertical housing offers an important solution for Bandung, where available land for new residential development is increasingly limited. The program is also expected to enhance the economic value of underutilized government assets.
The Bandung City Government is also promoting investment opportunities in the sports sector.
Farhan stated that plans are underway to revitalize several sports facilities through partnerships with private investors.
Although the Gelora Bandung Lautan Api Stadium already has an operator, numerous other sports venues remain available for development.
"We are preparing an investment concept for sports districts. Several locations can be developed in partnership with investors, including Bandung Arena, the hockey field, and the Lodaya area," he said.
The initiative aims not only to improve facilities for athletes and the public but also to create new economic activity centers through a sports tourism development strategy.
The city government also sees significant opportunities in the growing electric vehicle ecosystem in Bandung.
The increasing adoption of electric vehicles has generated demand for additional Public Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (SPKLU), prompting the city to open new investment opportunities in this sector.
"Even investment in fuel stations remains attractive. Two private fuel station permits are currently being processed, and I have required both projects to include EV charging facilities," Farhan revealed.
He emphasized that EV charging infrastructure will play a crucial role in supporting Bandung's transition toward environmentally friendly transportation while demonstrating the city's readiness to embrace advancements in automotive technology.
Farhan also noted that the city government is reorganizing outdoor advertising placements across Bandung as part of its broader effort to create a healthier investment environment.
He explained that regulating billboard locations will help reduce oversupply, thereby increasing the economic value of available advertising spaces.
"If there are too many advertising locations, their investment value declines. We are therefore reorganizing them to create a more orderly system with stronger economic value," he said.
Farhan expressed optimism that the strategic projects currently under preparation will further strengthen Bandung's appeal to investors.
He stressed that investment should not be measured solely by the total value of capital inflows, but also by the tangible benefits delivered to residents through improved public services, job creation, and sustainable infrastructure development.
"We want incoming investments to generate real impacts. The goal is not merely to increase investment figures, but also to improve public services, enhance community mobility, and support the sustainable economic growth of Bandung," Farhan concluded.
[SOURCE]