Background
A paradigm shift from centralistic-sectoral to regional development approach has been evident. This has a linkage to strong influence of development implementation based on mobilization principles and the efficient and justifiable distribution of resources. Centralistic approach has created imbalance development between regions and also between sectors. In addition, natives has been disregarded in all aspects of development.
The shift has been implemented in local autonomy policies. This obliges governments to prepare as the policies take place, especially in planning processes. Based on Local Autonomy Laws 22/1999 and 25/1999, local autonomy has to be enforced at Kabupaten/Kota level. At the moment, about 341 kabupatens/kotas have to be prepared to conform the laws.
History
The Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) as one of the leading universities in Indonesia is obliged to assist the local autonomy program, in particular on improving manpower quality and capacity, development planning, implementation assistance and developing planning research.
The IPB has sufficient qualified manpower and has strong academic activities both at undergraduate or graduate levels. This includes study programs of Regional and Rural Development, Regional Planning, Local Development and Landscape Architecture. Supports to strengthen the qualification has been made by laboratories in the Faculty of Agriculture, especially Laboratory of Land Resource Development Planning, Department of Soil Science and Land Resource.
Considering the potentials, the university initiated a research center to assist the requirement, namely Pusat Pengkajian Perencanaan dan Pengembangan Wilayah (P4W) IPB or Center for Regional Systems Analysis, Planning and Development (CrestPent) IPB. The center embrionically developed in 1999 as a working group. of regional development planning coordinated by Dr. H. R. Sunsun Saefulhakim, MAgr and consists of Dr. Ir. Ernan Rustiadi, MAgr., Dr. M. Nur Aidi, Dr. Setia Hadi, MS., Dr. Iskandar Lubis, MS., Drs. Yayat Supriatna, MURP, and Ir. Dyah Retno Panuju.