Infrastructure Dilemma

The behavior of our society is easily influenced by momentary phenomena. Behavior is temporary, while infrastructure development has long-term effects. That\'s where the dilemma comes from.

Kompas/Priyombodo

A Prasetyantoko

The following news can illustrate the link between infrastructure development and people’s behavior, as well as its macroeconomic context. On Saturday (21/12/2019), the Jakarta-Cikampek elevated toll road from Cawang was closed as the volume of vehicles surged by 80 percent. When it was inaugurated by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo as recently as Dec. 13, the new toll road was projected to reduce congestion by 30 percent.

In other news, the deputy chairman of the Association of Indonesian Shopping Center Operators, Alphonzus Widjaja, said infrastructure development had increased the number of mall visitors and hotel occupancy in the regions by 50 percent during the Christmas and New Year holidays (Katadata, 20/12/2019).