It’s hard to say that a city can be functional without its infrastructure acting as its backbone. This remains true with Jakarta’s famous business hub in Sudirman. Just how exactly the infrastructure around Sudirman can be that important for the business hub?
Try to picture this. Imagine if a city has heavy traffic congestion and there is no proper traffic management or infrastructure that backs it up. No one would live or run a business if moving around were already difficult enough.
With that said, the Sudirman Central Business District (SCBD) fortunately has a good infrastructure with urban planning concepts to make transportation even more accessible. In this article, learn about the Jakarta CBD infrastructure, transportation, and walkability.
Why Infrastructure Around Sudirman Matters for Business and Investment
Infrastructure often matters to increase the district’s walkability, but actually, it is also important for business and investment. There can be several reasons why it’s true:
- Helping to facilitate efficient business operations. A well-maintained infrastructure can accelerate goods transports and let clients and investors travel quickly, ultimately saving time. There will be no delays that can cause inconvenience.
- Boosting economic growth in SCBD (and Jakarta as a whole). A good infrastructure can increase operability, which is something that global companies are after. As a result, more companies and foreign workers are moving to SCBD, increasing economic growth.
- Enhance its appeal as a prestigious business hub. SCBD can boast its walkability and accessibility with a complex infrastructure system. This can attract investors to invest in SCBD’s many urban projects.
Public Transport Infrastructure Around Sudirman
The Sudirman business district connectivity starts from the availability of public transport. It is often said that SCBD is a center of public transportation in Jakarta, with many options people can choose from.
MRT Station Serving the Sudirman Corridor
There are many MRT stations in Jl. Jend. Sudirman alone, but the closest Sudirman MRT access is Istora Mandiri MRT Station. This MRT station is one of 13 stations (North-South Line) that connect Bundaran HI and Lebak Bulus.
It’s called Istora Mandiri because the president director of MRT Jakarta, William Syahbandar, gives the naming rights to Bank Mandiri. It is also located near the Istora Senayan, adding more context to the name.
Integration with Commuter Line and TransJakarta
Not a fan of MRT’s underground feel? A bus rapid transit (BRT) system Transjakarta is also ideal to use as public transportation in Sudirman. It is also integrated with MRT stations.
There are several routes people can use to go to Istora Mandiri or SCBD, such as Blok M–Kota (Route 1) and Kalideres–GBK (Route 3F).
Another option people can use is the Commuter Line (KRL). To reach SCBD, they have to go to Sudirman Station and then continue traveling on Jl. Jend. Sudirman south until they arrive at the business district. It’s the closest KRL to SCBD.
Also Read: Transportation in Sudirman: MRT, Traffic, and Accessibility
Road and Tunnel Infrastructure Around Sudirman
The public transportation around SCBD seems to deliver a good promise, but what about the Jakarta CBD infrastructure? Let’s explore more about them in this section:
Major Arterial Roads
Looking at how the MRT stations are positioned, it’s easy to tell the major roads around Sudirman:
- The first major road is Jl. Sisingamangaraja, which is located near Blok M. This is where the route of Blok M–Sudirman–Dukuh Atas begins.
- The center major road is undoubtedly Jl. Jend. Sudirman, which is situated next to the SCBD. This is where the route of Blok M–Sudirman–Dukuh Atas continues until reaching Sudirman Station and the Dukuh Atas BNI MRT Station.
- The last major road is Jl. M. H. Thamrin, which is accessed after the iconic Bundaran HI. This road leads to the famous landmark National Monument.
Toll Access
It doesn’t take long to reach the closest toll access from Sudirman, which is the Inner Jakarta Ring Road. Interestingly, this toll road began its history from Jl. Jend. Gatot Subroto, intersecting Jl. Jend. Sudirman at the Semanggi Interchange.
Urban Tunnels and Traffic Flow Management
Since SCBD is an already crowded business district, it makes sense for the development of underground infrastructure to be focused. There was already an initiative to construct a pedestrian underground tunnel that connects MRT stations to several buildings.
This tunnel includes Sudirman 7.8 (with Setiabudi Astra station) and Mandiri Tower (with Istora Mandiri station), which are located around Sudirman. It is predicted to be finished in 2026, for the Dukuh Atas BNI MRT station–Thamrin Nine tunnel.
Also Read: Sudirman vs SCBD: Which Business District Is Right for Your Company?
Pedestrian and Walkability Infrastructure Around Sudirman
It’s a no-brainer to think of the SCBD as one of the most pedestrian-friendly districts in all of Indonesia. What about the walkability infrastructure around Sudirman? There are a lot of urban projects that have been finished:
Revitalized Sidewalks and Skybridges
Sidewalks and skybridges have been revitalized to increase the walkability for pedestrians. These are examples of completed revitalization projects of sidewalks and skybridges in Sudirman:
- The Kendal pedestrian tunnel, the walkable pedestrian tunnel that leads to the Dukuh Atas TOD. This was once used as motorized vehicle traffic but is now completely revitalized as sidewalks that connect different modes of public transportation.
- The JPO Gelora Bung Karno skybridge, the revitalized skybridge located on Jl. Jend. Sudirman. Pedestrians use this skybridge to take pictures while crossing the road.
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) around Sudirman
For information, TOD is an urban project that integrates with several transportation systems. Over time, many districts are getting their own TOD projects to support the walkability.
But what about the one near Sudirman? There is already one project named Pedestrian Tunnel Menara Mandiri. This is an urban pedestrian tunnel that connects Istora Mandiri MRT station to Menara Mandiri. Disabled-friendly and also equipped with shops.
Regional and International Accessibility around Sudirman
Between airport connectivity and Sudirman business district connectivity, Sudirman still has them all. Accessing regions or even other countries is made easy, thanks to a well-connected infrastructure.
Airport Connectivity
Jakarta itself already has a rather convenient airport rail link service called Soekaro–Hatta Airport Commute Line. So, how is this rail link somehow connected to SCBD?
- SCBD is located near Istora Mandiri MRT station. This MRT station then is connected to the Dukuh Atas BNI MRT station.
- Since it’s an interchangeable station, Dukuh Atas BNI is connected to the Soekarno–Hatta Airport Commute Line rail link through BNI City station.
This allows anyone from around Sudirman who wants to travel to the international airport to cut travel time.
Access to Business District Clusters
Sudirman already has its own district clusters, the SCBD. However, Jl. Jend. Sudirman allows SCBD to connect with the other two clusters, Kuningan and Thamrin, allowing faster travel between business district clusters.
Now, accessing those clusters is easy, thanks to MRT stations that are positioned on Jl. Jend. Sudirman. Kuningan has the Setiabudi Astra MRT station, and Thamrin has the Dukuh Atas BNI MRT station.
In conclusion, the Sudirman business district connectivity cannot be underestimated. From all the infrastructure being shown here, Sudirman is indeed one of the most strategic locations in Jakarta.
Sudirman is not only just for the infrastructure alone but also for its flexible private office solution. Flow, for example, offers a premium AYANA’s world-class design, integrated technologies, and luxury amenities, located near Sudirman.
In other words, your business can make good use of infrastructure around Sudirman while also elevating your private office experience with Flow. Contact us for a tour now.