Infrastructure Management as a Catalyst for Accelerating Regional Economic Resilience

Abstract

The study aims to analyse the impact of the Trans-Sumatra Toll Road construction on regional economic resilience, with a case study on the Bakauheni–Terbanggi Besar section. The construction of this toll road is expected to increase the efficient and effective utilisation of natural resources on the island of Sumatra, which in turn can reduce dependence on imports and increase exports. To achieve this, the toll road infrastructure plays a crucial role in organising the existing economic hubs in Sumatra, facilitating the distribution of goods and agricultural products, and promoting the development of other economic sectors, such as industry and tourism. This study employs a descriptive method with a comparative approach, comparing conditions before and after the construction of the toll road through in-depth interviews with informants and analysis of documents from the Regional Spatial Planning (RTRW) of Lampung Province in 2010 and 2019. The results of the study indicate that the construction of the Trans-Sumatra toll road has created new economic hubs, where growth centres such as industrial and tourism areas have begun to emerge around the toll road. These growth centres play a role in strengthening the competitiveness of the region and equalising economic distribution between regions. Overall, the construction of this toll road has a positive impact on the economic resilience of the region, as it enhances connectivity, distribution efficiency, and opens up broader economic opportunities in the Sumatra region. Thus, this project makes a significant contribution to achieving equitable development and regional economic resilience in Indonesia.