ASEAN Transformation Toward Smart City Environment: A Resource Management Approach in Sustainable Waste and Energy Management

¹ Department of Government Studies, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, 55183, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
² Department of Government Studies, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, 55183, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
³ Department of Government Affairs and Administration, Jusuf Kalla School of Government, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, 55183, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: s.widyasari.isip21@mail.umy.ac.id

Abstract

The ASEAN region consists of ten countries, six of which are in the top twenty countries with less successful waste management. ASEAN produces the most marine plastic waste, contributing 1.4 to 3.54 million metric tons annually. This waste problem is exacerbated by shipping waste from Western countries, mainly recycled plastic from Australia, of which 80-87% is sent to Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Myanmar. The smart city environment approach effectively solves the waste pollution problem in ASEAN. The concept emphasizes efficient resource management, including energy, sustainable transportation, and water management, to create more innovative and sustainable cities. This research aims to determine the extent of resource management implementation in ASEAN to create a smart city environment concept. This research uses descriptive qualitative methods, using secondary data analyzed using NVIVO 12 Plus. The results show that waste generation, energy, and carbon footprint are the top priorities of ASEAN countries in implementing resource management to realize a bright city environment. As for air quality and water consumption, there is still a need for practical solutions, which need to be echoed by ASEAN countries to address these challenges. This research offers insights into adapting this concept to promote environmental sustainability and foster the global development of eco-friendly, advanced cities.