Why Indonesia is building a whole new capital | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Indonesia plans to build a new capital, Nusantara, on Borneo island to address Jakarta's problems, but the project raises concerns about displacement, environmental impact, and fulfilling green energy goals.

Key Insights

• 🏢 Jakarta, Indonesia's capital, is sinking at a rapid rate due to excessive groundwater pumping, leading to pollution, overcrowding, and flooding. The government plans to build a new capital, Nusantara, on the island of Borneo.
• 🌊 By 2050, a quarter of Jakarta is projected to be underwater. The city's sinking issue is a result of colonial urban design and a reliance on groundwater wells, a legacy of Dutch colonization.
• 🌱 Nusantara, the proposed new capital, aims to be a green, hyperconnected utopia, fueled by renewable energy and with extensive green spaces. However, building the city comes at the cost of displacement of indigenous people and ecological damage.
• 🏗️ The move to Nusantara is part of Indonesia's larger development strategy, aiming to shift the economic weight off Jakarta and promote industrialization and modernization in the Kalimantan region. The area has significant coal reserves.
• 🦧 Borneo is home to endangered species, including the Bornean orangutan, that will be severely affected by the construction of the new capital. Local economies tied to mangrove forests may also face displacement.
• 🌍 Indonesia's current energy mix heavily relies on coal, raising concerns about Nusantara's promise of zero emissions by 2045. Concrete plans for renewable energy sources have yet to be disclosed.
• 🏗️ Building new capitals has had mixed results in the past, with issues such as segregation, environmental impact, and lack of affordable housing. Success for Nusantara depends on its impact and inclusive design.
• 🌎 Other countries, including Egypt, South Korea, and Equatorial Guinea, are also planning or constructing new capitals, reflecting a global trend towards urban development.

Transcript

Pop quiz! What's Southeast Asia's biggest capital, is nicknamed the Big Durian and is the world's fastest-sinking city? Jakarta! It's Indonesia's capital, but it won't be for much longer. It's suffered from endemic pollution, flooding and overcrowding. Traffic alone costs the country up to $5 billion a year in economic losses. The government's sol... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the main challenges faced by Jakarta that led to the decision to build a new capital?

Jakarta is sinking due to excessive groundwater pumping and suffers from pollution, flooding, and overcrowding, leading the Indonesian government to seek a solution by building a new capital.

Q: What are some of the potential benefits of building Nusantara as a new capital?

Nusantara aims to shift the economic weight off Jakarta, develop neglected regions, and become a green industrial hub, utilizing land, water, feedstock, and labor force advantages in East Kalimantan.

Q: What are the environmental concerns associated with building Nusantara?

The indigenous population, endangered species, and local ecosystems in Borneo will be impacted by displacement, deforestation, loss of carbon sinks, and potential pollution from coal energy used in construction.

Q: How does Nusantara plan to achieve its goal of being a green, hyperconnected utopia?

The new capital intends to rely on renewable energy sources, have highly accessible public transportation, and include extensive green spaces covering 75% of the area.

Q: Is there a concrete plan for Nusantara's energy scheme?

The government has included solar and wind energy in its plans, but details of the energy scheme and the balance between hydropower and coal remain uncertain.

Q: Will building Nusantara solve Jakarta's problems?

While Nusantara aims to shift the economic weight off Jakarta, only time will tell if the new capital can effectively address the sinking, pollution, and overcrowding issues faced by Jakarta.

Q: What are the historical challenges faced by other newly built capitals?

Newly built capitals like Brasilia, Naypyidaw, Abuja, and New Delhi have faced issues such as segregation, becoming ghost cities, lack of affordable housing, and environmental problems like air pollution.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Jakarta, Southeast Asia's biggest capital, is sinking and plagued by pollution, flooding, and overcrowding due to colonial urban design and excessive groundwater pumping.

• The Indonesian government approved a $33 billion plan to build a new capital, Nusantara, on Borneo island, aiming for a green, hyperconnected utopia fueled by renewable energy and surrounded by green spaces.

• However, the project raises concerns about displacement of indigenous people, loss of biodiversity, reliance on coal energy, and the historical challenges faced by other newly built capitals worldwide.