When you look out the window, you can see problems—and potential solutions—that await innovative approaches to benefit both society and the environment. This belief drove the organization of the 5th Annual Intensive Course Programme in Urban, Transport, and Environmental Economics, which celebrates the power of sustained enthusiasm and collaborative effort to create a better world through spatial economics.
Held over an intensive four-week period from January 13 to February 7, 2025, at the Department of Economics, FEB UI and LPEM FEB UI, the programme united scholars and practitioners from Indonesia and the Netherlands. It was delivered through a partnership between the Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Indonesia (FEB UI); the Institute for Economic and Social Research (LPEM FEB UI); and the Department of Spatial Economics, School of Business and Economics, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (SBE VU), with generous support from the RSAI Nurturing Talent Programme.
The course began with a comprehensive refresher in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics, led by FEB UI faculty members Vid Adrison, Ph.D.; I Made Krisna Yudhana Wisnu Gupta, Ph.D.; Dr. Beta Yulianita G. Laksono; and Dr. Ashintya Damayanti. These sessions established a common analytical framework before participants delved into advanced spatial topics. In the final two weeks, Prof. Dr. Henri de Groot, Dr. Gerard van der Meijden, and Prof. Dr. Erik Verhoef guided in-depth explorations of spatial, transport, and environmental economics. Through interactive lectures, case studies, and team projects, attendees honed their ability to translate theoretical models into actionable policy insights, and their engagement throughout the course underscored the real-world relevance of these subjects.
Beyond its academic rigour, the programme also provided a vital platform for cross-border dialogue, allowing participants to exchange perspectives on spatial-economic challenges and co-develop innovative solutions. The collaboration among FEB UI, SBE VU, and RSAI’s Nurturing Talent Programme exemplifies a shared commitment to advancing research capacity and fostering scientific development—particularly in emerging economies like Indonesia.
Henri de Groot, as one of the lecturers at the 5th Annual Intensive Course Program, hopes that this programme will not only provide an opportunity for an intensive exchange of knowledge and ideas, but also strengthen cooperation and friendship, and serve as a foundation for future student exchanges in Master’s or PhD programs. He also hopes that five years from now, we will celebrate the second lustrum of this initiative and that the fruitful cooperation between Indonesia and the Netherlands will continue to develop.
Looking ahead, it is hoped that this intensive course will continue as an annual tradition, attracting participants from diverse academic and professional backgrounds. By deepening understanding of spatial-economic issues and expanding the reach of evidence-based policy implementation, the programme aspires to contribute meaningfully to sustainable development at regional, national, and global levels.
