The Race to Save Jakarta, Indonesia: the World's 2nd Largest MEGACITY

Jakarta, the second-largest city in the world, is grappling with severe environmental issues including floods, pollution, and land subsidence. The city's location on a low-lying delta exacerbates these problems, with floods reaching up to three meters and the land sinking at an alarming rate. The government of Indonesia, the fourth-most populous country, is responding by moving the capital to a new location on a different island. However, the majority of Jakarta's 34 million residents are left to adapt to these conditions. The city's diverse population and economic significance are highlighted, as is the history of poor urban planning and the legacy of Dutch colonial control. Efforts to combat these issues through sustainable coastal living and learning from neighboring communities are discussed.

The consequences of uncontrolled construction and the resulting compression of soft sediment have left 40% of Jakarta below sea level, leading to frequent and severe flooding. The city's vulnerability is further increased by the lack of effective waste treatment, leading to toxic waterways. Personal stories illustrate the struggle, with residents like Webuo raising their homes to avoid flooding. The issue is particularly severe in areas where rivers have been channelized and lined with concrete, preventing aquifer recharge and leading to overflow during storms. The government's response has been to allow unregulated housing villages to spread, which now must be reclaimed to 'naturalize' the spaces. This has resulted in resistance and displacement, with residents facing eviction and relocation challenges, including rent debt and loss of informal employment opportunities.

In response to Jakarta's environmental crisis, the government is pursuing two major projects: the completion of sea walls to prevent flooding and the creation of artificial islands shaped like Indonesia's national symbol, the Garuda. These efforts aim to combat the rising sea levels and subsidence but are criticized as potentially too slow and ineffective. The government has also decided to move the capital to Borneo, a $35 billion project called Nusantara, which promises to be a carbon-neutral eco paradise. This decision is justified by several benefits, including better management and representation of the country's islands, spreading development, reducing traffic congestion, and protecting from volcanic eruptions. However, questions remain about the logistics, funding, and environmental impact of this move, as well as the implications for Jakarta and the new capital's ability to govern from a distance.

Despite the government's move to a new capital, many Jakartans remain and are actively working to address the city's challenges. Traffic congestion, once the worst in the world, has been alleviated through smart policies such as the implementation of a Bus Rapid Transit system and the opening of a new metro line. Efforts are also being made to slow Jakarta's sinking by learning from other cities that have faced similar issues, such as Tokyo and Shanghai. The city aims to pipe water to all residents by 2030 and shut down unregulated wells to combat subsidence. Additionally, there are plans to clean up the Citarum river, the most polluted in the world, and to create green spaces and regulations to manage flooding. Innovative solutions like low-cost floating bridges and flood-resistant housing designs are being explored to adapt to the city's waterlogged conditions.

The narrative concludes with a focus on community involvement and sustainable solutions. Residents have been adapting by constructing buildings that can withstand flooding and subsidence, and there are proposals for regulations that would make Jakarta more water-friendly. Architect Yu Sing has designed affordable flood-resistant housing, and citizens have come together to avoid mass eviction by voluntarily modifying their homes. The story highlights the importance of dialogue and negotiation between informal villages, slums, and the government to find solutions that work for everyone. The hope is that the collaborative approach seen in Jakarta can serve as a model for other communities facing similar challenges.