14/12/2025

ON SUNDAY December 14, 2025 theSunday Special IV

Beyond beaches Bali becomes a hub for changemakers BY DAYANA SOBRI

Nuanu is also positioning itself as an educational hub. The Nuanu School, for instance, blends conventional academics with hands-on learning in sustainability, creativity and technology. It caters not only to residents’ children but also to families drawn to alternative education models. For adults, there are frequent work shops, seminars and conferences. Topics range from regenerative agriculture and HFR DUFKLWHFWXUH WR EORFNFKDLQ DUWL¿FLDO intelligence and conscious leadership. The goal is to create a continuous culture of knowledge exchange. This resonates with broader trends: the Indonesian government has been pushing to transform Bali from a tourism reliant economy into a “digital nomad” and creative economy hub. In 2022, Indonesia’s creative economy contributed around 7.35% of GDP, with digital media DQG GHVLJQ LGHQWL¿HG DV JURZWK DUHDV )RU Malaysians working remotely, Nuanu rep resents a potential bridge between leisure travel and professional networking. Sustainability in practice Bali has long grappled with the downsides RI RYHUWRXULVP 3ODVWLF ZDVWH WUḊ F FRQ gestion and strain on natural resources. Nuanu’s founders are keen to demonstrate an alternative path. The city incorporates renewable energy systems, water recycling, permaculture gardens and low-impact construction using bamboo and other local materials. Food production is emphasised, with farm-to-table concepts supplying its eateries. While sceptics may point out that such projects often appeal more to expatriates than to locals, Nuanu’s sustainability experiments could serve as prototypes for broader adoption in Indonesia – a country ranked among the top contributors to ocean plastic pollution.

F OR many Malaysians, Bali is synonymous with sun-soaked beaches, affordable villas and island getaways. In 2023 alone, Indonesia recorded over 11 million international arrivals, with Bali remaining the country’s top destination. According to the Bali Government Tour LVP 2̇ FH 0DOD\VLD LV FRQVLVWHQWO\ DPRQJ WKH WRS ¿YH VRXUFH PDUNHWV ZLWK PRUH than 220,000 Malaysian visitors arriving in 2022 as borders reopened. Yet, beyond Seminyak’s shopping streets and Ubud’s yoga retreats, another destination is quietly reshaping Bali’s reputation. Located along the island’s southwest coast near Tabanan, Nuanu Creative City is being described as a “living laboratory” – a place where art, innovation, sustainability and community living converge. Nuanu, launched in 2023, spans nearly 44 hectares overlooking the Indian Ocean. It was conceived not as a resort or resi dential estate, but as an intentional com munity. This planned creative ecosystem combines co-working, cultural venues, education centres, wellness facilities and eco-conscious living spaces. The idea is to build a micro-city where artists, entrepreneurs, technologists and social innovators can collaborate. Its founders position it as an answer to the question: What does the future of living, working and creating look like?

For Malaysians accustomed to Bali DV D KROLGD\ UHWUHDW 1XDQX R̆ HUV VRPH thing different: A cultural immersion and glimpse into alternative ways of community life. A hub for arts and culture At the heart of Nuanu is Arkana, its main performance and gathering space. Designed with sweeping bamboo struc tures and amphitheatre seating, Arkana regularly hosts concerts, theatre, film screenings and cross-disciplinary art shows. The venue has already attracted international musicians and local Balinese performers, creating a fusion of global and indigenous culture. Nuanu also supports artist residencies, R̆ HULQJ VWXGLRV DQG FROODERUDWLYH VSDFHV for creatives to experiment and showcase their work. For visitors, this means the chance to witness art in progress rather WKDQ MXVW YLHZLQJ ¿QLVKHG H[KLELWLRQV T KLV IRFXV RQ WKH DUWV UHÀHFWV %DOL¶V long-standing identity as Indonesia’s cultural heartland – home to traditional gamelan, shadow puppetry and intricate temple dances. By combining heritage with contemporary practice, Nuanu at tempts to bridge the past and the future.

Arkana, Nuanu’s main performance and gathering space.