The Center for Sustainable Infrastructure Development (CSID) of the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia (UI) received a visit from a delegation of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University (SPbPU), Russia, to strengthen international research collaboration in the field of urban mobility.
The visit, which took place recently, was also complemented by the organization of an international seminar titled “Land-Use and Transport Interaction Models”, featuring experts from SPbPU Russia.
SPbPU is one of the oldest and largest universities in Russia and is ranked among the top higher education institutions according to Times Higher Education (THE). The Russian delegation consisted of Dr. Dmitrii Plotnikov, Prof. Igor Ilin, Prof. Tatiana Kudryavtseva, Prof. Irina Rudskaia, Dr. Angi Skhvediani, and Dr. Marina Bolsunovskaya, all of whom have extensive research experience in transportation systems, land-use planning, and urban digital transformation.
The seminar discussed scientific approaches and data-driven modeling to better understand the relationship between land use, transportation systems, and population mobility patterns.
During the main presentation session, Dr. Plotnikov emphasized the importance of integrating spatial data, demographic data, and real-time analytics in developing intelligent transportation systems capable of adapting to urban growth dynamics. He also presented various international case studies demonstrating how such integrated approaches can improve the efficiency of mobility networks and regional connectivity.
The discussions between speakers and participants produced several recommendations for the development of modern cities in Indonesia, including the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in transportation planning, the development of predictive models for regional growth, and the application of smart technologies in public transportation systems.
The seminar also opened opportunities for further joint research exploration between the Faculty of Engineering UI and SPbPU Russia, particularly in areas relevant to Indonesia’s urbanization context.
The activity also holds significant importance at the national level. In Indonesia, urban mobility challenges continue to intensify alongside population growth and the high dependence on private vehicles. Major cities such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, and Medan require research-based approaches to formulate transportation policies that are more adaptive, efficient, and sustainable.
The collaboration between the Faculty of Engineering UI and SPbPU Russia is expected to provide strategic scientific input for the government and policymakers in developing intelligent public transportation, reducing congestion, strengthening interregional connectivity, and accelerating the transition toward low-emission urban mobility.
Prof. D.Sc. Ir. Mohammed Ali Berawi, M.Eng.Sc., Ph.D., IPU, Director of CSID FTUI, asserted that developing data-driven transportation models is a strategic necessity for Indonesia.
“Scientific approaches that integrate land use and transportation systems are essential foundations for building sustainable cities in Indonesia. Through collaboration with SPbPU, we are strengthening our research capacity and opening opportunities to develop innovative, technology-based mobility solutions,” said Prof. Berawi.
Meanwhile, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering UI, Prof. Kemas Ridwan Kurniawan, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D., stated that the collaboration with SPbPU Russia is a strategic step in expanding the research network of the Faculty of Engineering UI.
“The collaboration between the Faculty of Engineering UI and SPbPU is an important effort to strengthen data-driven urban mobility research. This activity not only enriches the academic insights of the UI engineering community but also serves as a foundation for developing adaptive, inclusive, and sustainable transportation solutions to address the needs of major cities in Indonesia,” Prof. Kemas remarked.
As a follow-up, CSID will initiate further discussions on joint research, opportunities for collaborative publications, and potential academic exchanges between the two institutions. These initiatives align with the commitment of the Faculty of Engineering UI to strengthen multidisciplinary research and enhance academic contributions to sustainable urban development.
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Public Communication Office
Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia
