Jambi City, Indonesia
This case study is linked to our resource guide, Strengthening the Asian City Climate Project Pipeline.
Jambi City is the capital and largest city of Jambi Province, located on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia with the total population of 627,800. It is crossed by the Batang Hari River, the longest river in Sumatera. Spanning an area of roughly 169.89 square kilometres (65.59 square miles), Jambi City is located in the southwestern portion of the Sumatran Basin.
The city is well known for its diverse and multi-ethnic population, including Jambi Malays, Javanese, Minangkabau, Chinese, Batak, Sundanese, and Bugis communities.
Climate-related project: Green Urban Transportation
Overview
According to a study conducted by the City's Transportation Agency, the ratio of transportation costs to the minimum wage in Jambi City is currently 25.23% – The World Bank recommends that this ratio should not exceed 10%. Therefore, the wellbeing and financial independence of Jambi City’s citizens should be boosted by the reliable, low-cost transportation that this project promises. As gasoline is no longer subsidized by the government and its price depends on market fluctuations, Jambi’s citizens face increasing pressure to their livelihoods.
The Green Urban Transportation Project aims to enhance the quality and capacity of public transportation while promoting alternative mobility options, improving the environment, and increasing the welfare of the people.
Project objective
The goal of the project is to enhance the capacity and quality of Jambi City’s public transportation system, encouraging people to use it instead of their private vehicles. Additionally, the project includes the development of pedestrian and bike lanes as alternative mobility options, promoting a green and healthier lifestyle.
By reducing the usage of private vehicles, the project aims to overcome a number problems attributed to them such as traffic congestion, traffic accidents, air and noise pollution, and emissions from the transportation sector. The project is aligned with the city's development plan and Transportation Masterplan 2022-2042 as developed by the City's Transportation Agency.
Barriers for robust project preparation
Limited capacity and resources, with many staff members possibly lacking the necessary expertise and experience to undertake comprehensive project planning and technical studies.
Lack of access to national and international financing, when securing funding is crucial for the successful execution of large-scale projects. Jambi City often finds it challenging to tap into these financial resources.
Staff turnover, with this instability making it harder to maintain momentum and ensure that projects are completed to a high standard.
Type of technical assistance needed/expected from the GAP Fund
Comprehensive planning document studies;
Stakeholder consultations; and
Assistance in bridging to obtain fund from abroad.
Lessons learned when preparing the Expression of Interest (EOI) form to the GAP Fund
The mayor of Jambi is fully aware and supports this application to the GAP Fund. The Green Urban Transportation itself has been promoted by the mayor on several occasions in national and international level, demonstrating strong local political ownership and alignment with broader climate action strategies.
Next steps
The technical assistance to further develop the Document Planning concept of this project is required to ensure that the project can get approval from the National Authorities.
Moreover, this project is expected to mobilize resources from potential foreign partners to partially fund the project. A legal issue concerning the approval from national agencies – namely the Ministry of Finance and the National Development Agency – might arise.
Key recommendations for other cities
It is important for cities to join initiatives and expand their networks to access funding and financing for climate-related projects. By actively participating in regional and international climate initiatives, cities can gain valuable insights, share best practices, and foster collaborations that enhance cities’ ability to secure financial resources. This allows cities to connect with potential funding sources – such as governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, and private sector partners – who are increasingly supporting climate resilience and sustainability efforts.
Explore our resource guide Strengthening the Asian City Climate Project Pipeline, or read our other case study on Tagum City, Philippines.