Before 2001, the local government in future Kartamantul were involved in the collaboration on Integrated Urban Infrastructure Development Program (IUIDP) in between 1980s and 1990s with Special Region of Yogyakarta planning and implementation.

In 2001, the government of Yogyakarta, Sleman, and Bantul established joint secretariate (Indonesian: Sekretariat Bersama) of Kartamantul.

The joint secretariate agreement signed by all heads of the local governments with governor support.

However, urban activities such as higher education, trade, tourism, art and handicraft industries are sharply increase with focus on the city of Yogyakarta.

Kartamantul is considered one of the major hubs that link the west–east main railway route in Java island.

Since 2008, the government of Special Region of Yogyakarta launched a bus rapid transit system, the Trans Jogja, which connects places in and around Kartamantul, including the airport and the Prambanan temple.