Sanur, the heart of tourism in Denpasar, has been officially designated as a Low-Emission Zone (LEZ) by its Mayor I Gusti Ngurah Jaya Negara.
The designation is formalized in Mayor Regulation No. 39 of 2025 concerning Traffic and Transportation Management in the Sanur Low-Emission Zone.
The LEZ covers the tourism areas of Desa Sanur Kaja, Desa Sanur Kauh, Desa Adat Sanur, and Desa Adat Intaran. The official launch took place at Sanur Seaside, Denpasar, on Saturday, marked by a dove release and ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“Sanur is the face of Denpasar’s tourism. Transportation management and emission control are priorities so that economic growth continues without compromising environmental quality and residents’ comfort,” said Mayor Jaya Negara, as reported by Antara. He emphasized that sustainable tourism in Sanur is a shared responsibility.
“We started with jogging track management, followed by drainage and sidewalk improvements, then electric shuttles. Now we are implementing low-emission management. Hopefully, Sanur will continue to grow and develop while maintaining quality based on the local wisdom values of the community.”
I Gusti Agung Alit Kencana, Bendesa Adat Intaran Sanur, noted that the Low-Emission Zone management has begun to show tangible benefits for the public.“The area is now more orderly and comfortable.
With 12 electric shuttles like Shuttle Intaran, private vehicle congestion has decreased. Improved sidewalks and better lighting also make it easier for residents and tourists to walk,” Alit Kencana said.
He added that increased pedestrian activity positively impacts local businesses, creating a more organized area and a sustainable economic and tourism ecosystem.
“Street vendors and art shops feel the area is livelier. Since more people walk, they are more comfortable stopping, browsing, and shopping. This shows that low-emission zone management also supports the circulation of the local economy,” he explained.
Nirarta Samadhi, Country Director of World Resources Institute (WRI) Indonesia, highlighted that LEZs should be designed with equitable access.
“Low-Emission Zones must ensure that everyone can move fairly and affordably, including local residents, small businesses, and tourism workers. Therefore, policy design must be inclusive and provide space for public participation,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of innovative financing schemes for long-term implementation.
“Sustainability of low-emission zones requires creative financing, both through partnerships with the private sector and strengthening eco-friendly public transport business models,” Nirarta added.
I Ketut Sriawan, Head of the Denpasar Transportation Agency, explained that following the regulation, the agency will draft a Regional Action Plan (RAD) as the operational guideline. The RAD will guide technical implementation for local government units, traditional villages, and businesses within Sanur LEZ.
“With cross-sector collaboration, the Sanur Low-Emission Zone is expected to become a model for sustainable mobility management in Bali while supporting Bali’s commitment to net-zero emissions. We will ensure LEZ implementation is gradual, from traffic engineering, infrastructure provision such as bike lanes and pedestrian paths, to integration with public transportation. All are designed based on data and technical studies, supported by WRI Indonesia,” he said.
The event also included the signing of a handover for Electric Shuttle management and a Joint Agreement between WRI Indonesia and the Denpasar City Government. Representatives from the Bali Provincial Transportation Agency, Forkopimda Denpasar, and relevant local government leaders attended.
Sources : BaliJpnn, Bisnisbali
Feat Image : via AntaraNews//Fikri Yusuf