Jakarta Global City:
ASEAN Hub International Design Competition 2026

Jakarta is entering an important phase in its urban development journey as it prepares to commemorate its 500th anniversary and the 60th anniversary of ASEAN in 2027. In line with Jakarta's agenda to become a Global City and its vision to position itself as an ASEAN Hub, the International Design and Planning Competition for the 500 years of Jakarta is launched to seek innovative and inclusive design ideas.

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About

The Blok M area has long stood as one of Jakarta’s most vibrant urban hubs, known for its rich cultural heritage, economic importance, and strategic location in South Jakarta. As part of the Kebayoran Baru District, a designated cultural heritage zone dating back to the Dutch colonial period as a planned satellite city, Blok M embodies multiple layers of historical significance and urban evolution. Over the decades, it has transformed from an elite garden city settlement in the 1940s and Indonesia’s pop culture icon in the 1990s into a major contemporary transportation and commercial hub supported by the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), Trans Jakarta, and a network of public spaces.

Beyond its strong urban connectivity, Blok M holds distinctive international significance as the host of the ASEAN Secretariat Headquarters. This status positions the area as an epicentre of regional diplomacy, business, and cultural interaction. It also underscores the area’s potential to be developed and branded as an ASEAN Hub, which reflects the values of collaboration and integration shared among Southeast Asian nations.

Despite its strong potential, the urban landscape of this area has yet to be cohesively developed to represent its regional significance. The area continues to face challenges and is struggling to optimize spatial planning, increase public transport and pedestrian connectivity, and provide high-quality green and public spaces. The absence of a distinct ASEAN identity within its urban character further limits its potential as a regional hub.

Jakarta is entering an important phase in its urban development milestone and will commemorate its 500 years soon in 2027. It is timely with the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of ASEAN. In line with Jakarta’s agenda to become a Global City and its vision to position itself as an ASEAN Hub, the International Design and Planning Competition for the 500 years of Jakarta is launched to seek innovative and inclusive design ideas. The competition invites all international planners, architects, and multidisciplinary teams to reimagine Blok M as a model of sustainable, green, smart, and inclusive ASEAN Hub.

Aims

There are several aims behind this design and planning competition, which is also important to produce a set of values for the future development of the area:

  • Revitalizing the ASEAN Hub supports regional economic integration by providing a collaborative and innovative space for public–private partnerships, joint policy development, and cross-border business initiatives.
  • The ASEAN Hub will foster multi-stakeholder collaboration through shared spaces such as co-working areas, innovation labs, and cultural exchange centers that connect diverse ASEAN actors.
  • The ASEAN Hub will serve as a model for sustainable diplomatic districts, aligning with ASEAN’s green economy and sustainability agenda.
  • The ASEAN Hub will enhance regional investment attractiveness by becoming a center of excellence for investors, startups, and financial institutions across ASEAN.

Competition Objective

The main objective of this design and planning competition is to generate design and planning ideas that are able to:

  • Guide a forward-looking urban design combining innovation, functionality, sustainability, and strong visual identity.
  • Promote seamless connections between public transport systems and vibrant, people-oriented public spaces.
  • Shape a distinct ASEAN identity through culture, architecture, and landscape that celebrate regional diversity and unity.
  • Enhance environmental quality and livability through well-connected green and pedestrian-friendly spaces.
  • Foster economic vitality by integrating creative industries and MSMEs into the urban fabric.
  • Establish a comprehensive and adaptable urban development framework guiding the future of the ASEAN Hub.