Component Driven of Regional Competitiveness for Urban Development in Central Java Province Indonesia.

Abstract

Economic growth in Central Java Province is currently being driven by the rapid acceleration of investment, leading to the development of cities and districts. However, the measurement of regional competitiveness is currently limited to analysing regional capabilities in development. This condition creates a situation where regencies and cities compete with each other without considering the functions and roles of interconnected regions. Therefore, there is an urgent need to understand and utilize regional competitiveness within the framework of the regional system in order to support the policies of the Central Java Province. This study adopts a quantitative approach to analyse the stages of regional development, which are identified based on competitiveness starting from basic requirements as a factor-driven, efficiency-driven, and innovation factor. Using this approach, we aim to classify the functions and roles of cities and districts within the regional system in Central Java. The data for this study was obtained through the distribution of questionnaires in 35 districts and cities in Central Java Province, as well as interviews with stakeholders from both the regions and the provinces. The findings of this study reveal that cities and regencies have different stages of competitiveness, with some focusing on driving innovation and strengthening driving factors, while neglecting efficiency. Spatially, cities exhibit a higher level of competitiveness; however, most urban districts have not incorporated the role of the region in the planning of a sustainable regional system.