Medan City: Development and governance under the decentralisation era

Over the last 30 years, Medan's economy has grown rapidly and has been the driver of the regional development in North Sumatra Province as well as the northern part of the Sumatra region. The recent adoption of decentralised public policies in Indonesia has to some extent influenced urban development in Medan and also contributed to several governance challenges. The city has also suffered from corruption in its urban management practices. This study elaborates on the city's historical background, urban characteristics, key challenges and future outlook. The study also offers directions for further improvements to support sustainable urban development and management for the city.