Batu, en.SERU.co.id — Batu City has formally declared its commitment to become Indonesia’s 88th Creative City, choosing gastronomy as the main driver of local economic growth and community-based development.
Mayor H. Nurochman SH MH said the goal will require lasting collaboration between residents and the local government. The city plans to develop an integrated roadmap that connects modern agriculture, tourism, and technology-driven innovation.
“A Creative City is built through collaboration, not by government alone. The success of gastronomy depends heavily on the sustainability of our local farming sector,” Nurochman stated.
The commitment was marked by the signing of the Berita Acara Hasil Uji Petik (BAHUP) and a joint pledge involving all elements of the Hexahelix model. The ceremony took place at Balai Kota Among Tani and was witnessed by the National Assessment Team from the Ministry of Creative Economy.
Officials emphasize that gastronomy in Batu goes beyond serving food. It is viewed as a strategic gateway that brings together agriculture, culture, tourism, education, and the preservation of local traditions, with the culinary sector acting as the central engine.
To strengthen the supply chain, the city is accelerating the development of Smart and Integrated Farming zones. Additional support will come from an art center under the Batu Artpreneur program and the continued enhancement of the historic Selecta tourism area as part of the region’s creative infrastructure.
Dr. Fahmi Amrin, Director of Infrastructure Facilitation at the Ministry of Creative Economy, praised Batu’s ready creative ecosystem. He noted that the national assessment process examines not only final products but also the strength of collaboration, leadership, and the continuity of value chains on the ground.
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From the community side, Alan W. Hafiludin, Coordinator of Batu Creative Hub, welcomed the momentum. He said existing creative spaces will be further optimized as places where communities, business owners, academics, and investors can exchange ideas.
Muhammad Anwar, Chair of the Executive Commission of the Batu City Creative Economy Committee, explained that gastronomy was selected because it can pull together the city’s full range of local potential. The subsector is expected to draw in eight other priority areas: performing arts, product design, fine arts, landscape architecture, film video and animation, photography, television and radio, and digital content.
“Gastronomy begins with the farmer, continues through processing and design, is packaged as a story, and is promoted through digital content. This is the locomotive of our creative economy development,” Anwar said.
The declaration closed with the signing of a joint commitment by representatives from government, academia, business, media, community groups, and financial institutions.
With its new status as Indonesia’s 88th Creative City, Batu gains a stronger platform to expand market reach, raise competitiveness, and pursue international recognition through the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the field of gastronomy. (dik/ono)
Indonesian Version:
Kota Batu Resmi Deklarasikan Diri Menuju Kota Kreatif ke-88 dengan Gastronomi Sebagai Andalannya
