Abstract
Regional competitiveness has become one of the main determinants of sustainable economic growth in metropolitan areas. The Kedungsepur Metropolitan Region, consisting of Semarang City, Semarang Regency, Kendal Regency, Demak Regency, Grobogan Regency, and Salatiga City, represents one of the most strategic regional growth centers in Central Java. This study aims to analyze the role of regional competitiveness in encouraging economic growth through the Regional Competitiveness Index (Indeks Daya Saing Daerah/IDSD) by using Semarang Regency as a case study. This research employed a descriptive-analytical approach based on secondary data derived from the Regional Competitiveness Report, Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP), regional development indicators, and planning documents from 2022–2025. The analytical framework integrates Porter’s Diamond Theory, Regional Innovation System, and New Economic Geography to explain the interaction among competitiveness, innovation, infrastructure, human capital, and regional economic performance. The findings reveal that the IDSD score of Semarang Regency increased from 3.26 in 2022 to 4.08 in 2025, indicating substantial improvements in supporting environment, human resources, digital transformation, and innovation ecosystem. Furthermore, Semarang Regency demonstrates strategic competitiveness within the Kedungsepur Metropolitan Area due to its industrial concentration, transportation connectivity, and expanding market size. Nevertheless, several challenges remain, particularly concerning financial systems, labor markets, institutional quality, and innovation commercialization. The study concludes that strengthening regional competitiveness requires integrated metropolitan governance, innovation-driven industrial development, infrastructure connectivity, and evidence-based planning utilizing the IDSD framework. The findings provide important policy implications for metropolitan regional planning and sustainable economic development in Indonesia.