Urban Planning Policies and Architectural Design for Sustainable Food Security: A Case Study of Smart Cities in Indonesia

The urgent need for sustainable food systems in Indonesia is hindered by urban planning policies that are disconnected from food security priorities. Smart city planning policies in Indonesia have been subject to numerous misconceptions compared to successful implementations in developed countries. This study examines the relationship between urban planning policies and architectural design in fostering sustainable food systems, employing a mixed-methods approach that combines multiple linear regression analysis with a sample of 75 smart cities, correlation analysis, and case studies from six representative cities that demonstrate best practices. Key findings reveal that food security is significantly undermined by the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP), indicating distributional inequalities, high food expenditure, and a lack of clean water, while access to electricity improves resilience. Case study analysis showed that Semarang is the city with the highest readiness level (97%), followed by Makassar (91%), which employs a Holistic Benchmark approach, Jakarta (91%), which follows a Technological—fragmented approach, Samarinda (86%) and Medan (79%), which are in a Developing Transition phase, and Surabaya (66%), which utilizes a Community and Local Initiatives approach. Each city adopted a different approach, which means the national strategy for developing Smart Cities will also differ; however, they must prioritize equitable infrastructure and architectural innovation, such as urban farming integration and a water–energy–food nexus system. Smart cities extend beyond technological innovations, encompassing integrated urban planning policies and architectural practices that foster sustainable food systems through infrastructure management and environmental sustainability.