Why is Jakarta moving? 🇮🇩

Because of several major challenges facing the city, which has become increasingly unsustainable as Indonesia’s administrative hub:

1. Severe Flooding and Sinking: Jakarta is one of the fastest-sinking cities in the world, with parts of it subsiding up to 10 centimeters per year. This is largely due to excessive groundwater extraction. Additionally, much of Jakarta is near sea level and experiences frequent and worsening flooding.

2. Overpopulation and Traffic: With over 10 million residents and millions more commuting daily from surrounding areas, Jakarta suffers from intense congestion. This urban density strains infrastructure and limits quality of life for residents.

3. Environmental Pollution: Jakarta’s air and water pollution levels are high. The city’s reliance on motor vehicles and its limited waste management capacity contribute to worsening environmental conditions.

4. Economic and Political Decentralization: Indonesia wants to better distribute development across its islands, rather than concentrating wealth and power in Java. Moving the capital is part of a broader effort to boost development in underdeveloped regions, particularly in the eastern parts of Indonesia.

The new capital, named Nusantara, is being built in East Kalimantan on the island of Borneo, an area less prone to natural disasters. The government hopes that Nusantara will become a modern, sustainable, and environmentally friendly city, setting an example for urban development in the region. The move is scheduled to take place in phases, with the initial relocation expected to begin in 2024.