The Department of Public Works, Construction, and Spatial Planning of Bandung City recorded that over 2,000 Building Approvals (PBG) were issued throughout 2025. However, behind this number, public compliance is concerning, with only a handful of building owners reporting construction stages, raising concerns about weak urban spatial oversight.
Data was revealed by the Head of the Bandung City Department of Public Works, Construction, and Spatial Planning, Ruli Subhanudin, who stated that the level of construction reporting is still far from government expectations.
Out of approximately 2,600 PBG holders who have processed permits, fewer than five are actively reporting construction progress to the relevant department.
“According to regulations, building owners must report from the start of construction. But out of those thousands, those who comply are fewer than five,” said Ruli on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
According to him, this condition indicates a large gap between the administrative permit process and field implementation, which could weaken the government’s oversight function.
Yet, the construction reporting mechanism has been clearly regulated. The government will conduct inspections at three important stages: the start of construction (0 percent), the midpoint (50 percent), and the final stage (100 percent).
“The lack of reports makes the technical verification process difficult to carry out, so the risk of construction or spatial planning violations becomes even greater,” he said.
Ruli also revealed that many practices in the field still do not follow procedures. Not a few residents build first and then process the PBG permit later. This habit is considered to complicate urban planning, as existing buildings are difficult to correct if they do not align with the spatial plan.
According to him, construction reporting is not just an administrative obligation but a crucial part of ensuring building safety and technical compliance.
“When residents report, our team can go directly to check the size, position, and conformity with the permit. This is important to prevent violations from the start,” he explained.
Ruli emphasized that the responsibility for spatial planning cannot be fully placed on the government but requires collective public awareness.
Ruli highlighted that many buildings still stand that do not conform to spatial designations, even though regulations have been developed through technical studies and environmental carrying capacity calculations.
“Every area in Bandung City already has clear provisions regarding land function, building intensity, and environmental capacity,” he said.
Violations of the rules have the potential to trigger various urban problems, from traffic congestion to pressure on infrastructure.
“The impacts can be widespread, from flooding to increased waste volume in areas not designated for such use. This must be anticipated together,” he said.
