Joris van Etten

Senior Urban Development Specialist, Southeast Asia Regional Department

Joris van Etten is a senior urban development specialist at the Asian Development Bank and is based in Indonesia. He has been working with governments on addressing technical, institutional and financial challenges to create livable cities.

Streets, sidewalks, and parks have always been an extension of the living space for the urban poor. Photo: Fikri Rasyid

To bounce back from COVID-19, make space for Indonesia’s urban poor

Governments should adopt public space policies that support all citizens—including informal workers and the urban poor.

Joris van Etten, Tiffany M. Tran

For many in Indonesia, direct contact is needed in order to make a living. Photo: ADB

To survive the pandemic, Indonesia’s urban poor need economic support and help with basic services

For many of Indonesia’s urban poor who work in the informal sector, social distancing is nearly impossible if they want to maintain their income. Two key policies can help.

Joris van Etten, Tiffany M. Tran