Road widening in west Papua: A design and economic feasibility analysis of urban green infrastructure

Abstract

Planned road expansion in Manokwari, West Papua, along 6.5 km of the Maruni - - Dr. Esau Sesa in phase I of 2024 will prioritize low-carbon development and climate resilience. Road design enhancement and economic and financial analysis are conducted in this research. In the economic analysis, the National Road Administration Agency, the Head of Public Works and Spatial Planning, and the Regional Development Planning Agency from the regency and provincial collaborated on budget tagging. The proposed design incorporates bicycle lanes, green infrastructure in tree-based pedestrian areas as an energy source for biomass pellets, solar panel-based street lights, drainage along pedestrians to anticipate extreme weather and flooding, rehabilitation of mangroves whose ecosystem function has diminished, and retaining buildings erosion for damaged mangroves. The economic analysis begins with the calculation of the Vehicle Operating Cost (VOC) for large cities using the ratios 1:7 (Light Vehicle, LV) and 1:4 (Heavy Vehicle, HV). Time savings of up to 10 minutes and total VOC contribute to the total savings. Furthermore, an analysis of NPV > 0, IRR > 15%, BEP in the fifth and sixth year, and net B/C ratio > 0 indicates that road improvement is feasible based on economic analysis.