The Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT RRC.AP), in collaboration with the West Java Environmental Agency and with financial support from the Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MoEJ), successfully organized a seminar on “Local Adaptation Planning Tools for Urban Flood Resilience” in Bandung, Indonesia on 29 June 2026.
The seminar brought together representatives from West Java provincial government agencies, local government agencies, national agencies, academia and research institutions, and technical practitioners to explore practical, data-driven tools that support flood-risk assessment, early warning, and climate-resilient decision-making. The seminar focused particularly on the Bandung Metropolitan Area and the wider West Java context, where flood risks are increasingly shaped by climate variability, urban growth, land-use change, and pressure on natural resources.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Guilberto Borongan, Director of AIT RRC.AP, emphasized the importance of hydrological data, evidence-based planning, and multi-stakeholder collaboration in strengthening flood resilience in West Java, particularly Bandung. Mr. Taiki Kohno, Assistant Director, Climate Change Adaptation Office, Global Environment Bureau, Ministry of the Environment, Japan, noted that climate adaptation tools can help local decision-makers transform climate and hydrological data into actionable knowledge for accessing flood risk, identifying vulnerable areas, and strengthening preparedness. Representing the host agency, Ms. Ai Saadiyah Dwidaningsih, S.T., M.T., Head of the West Java Environmental Agency, highlighted West Java's growing environmental and climate challenges and emphasized the need for practical and coordinated action to address increasing disaster risks.
The session began with an overview by Mr. Solomon Huno, Head of the Climate Change Cluster, AIT RRC.AP, who introduced AIT RRC.AP’s work in climate change adaptation, climate finance, disaster risk reduction, early warning systems, and capacity building. He also introduced a range of adaptation planning tools and technologies that can support local governments in assessing climate risks and planning preventive actions before disasters occur.
The seminar also featured a presentation by Ms. Dwi Astuti R., S.Si., Expert Planner, the Regional Development Planning Agency, who provided a snapshot of flood resilience in West Java. She highlighted provincial development priorities, climate change strategies, disaster-risk challenges, and the need to integrate flood resilience into spatial planning, infrastructure development, early warning, community preparedness, and post-disaster recovery systems.
A key highlight of the seminar was the technical and hands-on demonstration by Mr. Ahmad F. Ibadurrahman from Hitachi Power Solutions Co., Ltd. He presented FloodS, a web-based flood simulation tool that allows users to simulate flood scenarios, assess potential inundation areas, and support flood-risk assessment using accessible online data and rainfall conditions. Participants also explored DioVISTA, a more advanced platform for high-resolution flood simulation, hazard mapping, and scenario-based planning.
Participants also had the opportunity to explore key technical aspects, including data requirements, rainfall inputs, land-use considerations, model accuracy, and practical applications for local flood risk management. The session reflected strong interest from local agencies in using practical and user-friendly tools to strengthen preparedness, planning, and investment decisions.
The seminar concluded with a shared recognition that effective urban flood resilience requires not only technology, but also reliable data, institutional coordination, local capacity, and inclusive planning. Through continued collaboration among AIT RRC.AP, MoEJ, the West Java Environmental Agency, and local stakeholders, the initiative aims to support more informed, proactive, and climate-resilient urban development in West Java.
