Natuna, June 2026 — Integrating geological, ecological, and cultural assets into regional development is essential for strengthening sustainable livelihoods and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Responding to this need, a community service team from the School of Architecture, Planning and Policy Development (SAPPK), Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), has initiated a collaboration with the Natuna Regency Government and the Natuna Geopark Management Agency (BPGN) to strengthen sustainable development planning and support Natuna’s aspiration to achieve UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp) status. The ITB team is led by Prof. Ridwan Sutriadi, Ph.D., and includes Nurrohman Wijaya, Ph.D., as a team member. They are supported by research assistants Anandhika Arifianto, M.Sc., Anugrah Ambia, S.T., Muhammad Daffa M.K.S., M.PWK., and Wibisana Dewandaru Arnatra. The collaboration combines institutional coordination, participatory community engagement, geosite development, and digital information management.

Strengthening Regional Development Monitoring

On Tuesday, June 23, 2026, the ITB team participated in a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) at the main meeting room of the Regional Planning, Research, and Innovation Agency (Bapperida) of Natuna Regency.
The FGD was led by Moestofa Albakry, Head of Bapperida and Vice Chairman I of BPGN Natuna, and involved representatives from regional government organizations (OPDs), the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the Natuna Malay Customary Institution (LAM), and coastal resource management groups. The discussion focused on “Development and Socialization of a Website for Monitoring and Evaluating Regional Development Achievement Indicators in Outermost Regions towards SDGs 2030 (Case Study: Natuna Regency).” During the session, the ITB team discussed an integrated information system to support the monitoring of regional development indicators, strengthen geosite documentation, and provide data to inform evidence-based policymaking. The proposed digital platform is expected to improve access to information on regional development while strengthening coordination among institutions involved in Natuna’s sustainable development and geopark management.

Integrating Local Knowledge into Geopark Development

A community-level activity complemented the institutional discussion held one day earlier, on Monday, June 22, at the Batu Kasah Geosite in Cemaga Tengah Village, South Bunguran District. The workshop, titled “Participatory Mapping of Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Narrative Inclusion for Natuna Geopark,” brought together village leaders, youth representatives, women’s groups, and local geosite managers. Prof. Ridwan Sutriadi opened the workshop by emphasizing the importance of a bottom-up approach in managing and developing geopark areas. Through participatory mapping, community members documented oral histories, local knowledge, and traditional conservation practices associated with the surrounding landscape. Field observations at the Batu Kasah and Batu Mineng sites followed the activity. The field exercise enabled the ITB team and local participants to examine the physical characteristics of the sites and document community narratives that can inform the interpretation and promotion of Natuna’s geological and cultural heritage. This approach positions local communities not merely as beneficiaries of geopark development but also as knowledge holders and active participants in documenting and managing local heritage.

Moving toward Citizen Science

The 2026 community service program also introduces a Citizen Science approach that seeks to connect community knowledge with scientific monitoring and digital information systems. The collaboration will be developed around three main areas: 1) Socio-cultural and creative economy: Supporting creative enterprises, homestays, and local tour-guiding activities through the documentation and interpretation of traditional narratives and cultural heritage; 2) Environmental conservation monitoring: Involving local communities and fishermen in monitoring coral reef conditions, mapping mangrove ecosystems, and reporting potentially harmful environmental activities; and 3) Digital governance: Strengthening the digital geopark database to document infrastructure needs, monitor development indicators, and capture visitor feedback. Through these activities, the partnership seeks to strengthen the institutional and community foundations required for sustainable geopark management. The integration of scientific approaches, local knowledge, participatory planning, and digital governance is expected to support Natuna’s broader development objectives while contributing to the conservation of its geological, biological, and cultural resources.

The collaboration between SAPPK ITB, the Natuna Regency Government, BPGN, and local communities demonstrates the importance of linking geopark management with regional development, community livelihoods, and the achievement of the SDGs. As the program progresses, these efforts are expected to contribute to Natuna’s preparation for international geopark recognition while ensuring that conservation and development generate tangible benefits for local communities.