The Future of Jakarta: A Sustainable Urban Vision

Visit Jakarta in years to come and you might want to pack a snorkel: the city of 30 million is fighting what sadly looks like a losing battle against rising tides and subsidence, which could see Indonesia’s canary-down-the-mine capital become the first megacity rendered uninhabitable by climate change.

Apparently resigned to Jakarta’s fate, the national government wants to relocate the capital to an as-yet-unbuilt city in Borneo. This presents Indonesia with a unique opportunity to redefine what city dwelling means at a time when climate change and technology are reshaping our lives. But what would a city truly fit for the future look like? We talk to some experts to find out.

Learning from the Past

While building an adaptable city fit for the modern epoch requires innovation, some experts advocate for low-tech solutions to confront challenges like climate change. As Shoshanna Saxe, an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto’s Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, states, “The excitement for solving all of our problems technologically is misdirected. Many of the challenges facing our cities have great, natural, low-tech solutions. Restoring wetlands for flood protection is a good example.”

Wetlands can serve dual purposes, as observed in Kolkata, where swamp-dwelling fish consume approximately half the city’s human waste.

Julia Watson, author of LO-TEK. Design by Radical Indigenism, believes that employing traditional ecological knowledge (the TEK in the title of her work) could assist in designing cities that won’t compromise the integrity of the ecosystems they inhabit, a necessity if Indonesia decides to build in biodiverse Borneo, home to the critically endangered orangutan. Developed by indigenous communities, traditional technologies have proven effective against the impacts of climate change.

A compelling example is the sawah tambak rice-fish farms of East Java, where farmers utilize floodwater to symbiotically cultivate rice and rear fish; a practice thought to be over 2000 years old. “These should be a launching pad for urbanists to start designing cities so that flood mitigation strategies are borne of the local environment, culture, and materials,” argues Watson, who teaches urban design at Harvard. This is not to diminish the role of modern technology, which can provide renewable energy and assist in data-driven urban planning.

Designing for People, Not Cars

As they plan the new capital, Indonesian officials would do well to avoid a common pitfall that many cities, especially new ones, face: designing public spaces for cars rather than the people who inhabit them. Consequently, the pursuit of urban utopia is often overshadowed by congestion.

“New cities, like Brasilia, which were conceived around the modernist dream of the automobile, have completely failed,” asserts Dr. Robert Hickman, Senior Lecturer at Bartlett School of Planning, University College London. “We must learn from that experience and create cities that prioritize a robust public transport system.”

The space consumed by car-centric urban architecture could be utilized for cycle lanes, walkways, parks, residential spaces, and various amenities that promote community interactions. Fortunately, cars are retreating from many major cities, including Barcelona and Ghent, where outdoor cafes and gardens now flourish in places once reserved for vehicles.

“Cities have been invaded by cars, and now they are being liberated,” explains Jan Gehl, author of Cities for People and Professor of Urban Design at the School of Architecture in Copenhagen. Gehl points out that the Danish capital started this trend in the ’60s, which possibly explains its continuous ranking as the most livable city in Europe.

Moreover, driving fewer cars into urban areas seems beneficial for local economies. For instance, Ghent has reported a 17% rise in restaurant and bar start-ups since implementing car prohibitions in its city center. “You can still have a thriving economy in a car-free city,” adds Gehl.

Creating Vibrant and Affordable Cities

If you could teleport to work, would you do it? A recent poll asked commuters in Portland, Oregon, that very question. Surprisingly, only 28% of walkers and 35% of cyclists responded positively, compared to 73% of motorists and 66% of bus and train travelers. While we should be cautious with conclusions drawn from a single poll, it sheds light on the fact that individuals tend to value commuting more when it isn’t motorized.

Encouraging non-motorized methods of transportation is essential for urban areas seeking to address the climate crisis while improving public health. Therefore, cities must become more accessible for pedestrians and cyclists, areas where Denmark and the Netherlands have set leading examples that others are now striving to emulate.

Gehl expresses admiration for Melbourne, noting that it boasts wide sidewalks adorned with trees and attractive paving, enhancing the pedestrian experience. Melbourne is also recognized for its innovative street furniture that blends comfort and aesthetics. Additionally, new constructions are required to feature captivating designs that intrigue passersby.

Having affordable housing is crucial for fostering a vibrant, modern city; effective regulations can facilitate this. Dr. Hickman mentions, “All new developments need to incorporate a significant proportion of affordable homes. Creating isolated enclaves in cities that cater exclusively to one demographic leads to various problems.”

A New Vision for Urban Centers

The mayor of Paris has proposed transforming the French capital into a “15-minute city,” aiming for local communities to be largely self-sufficient with amenities and jobs readily available nearby.

This idea aligns with Dr. Hickman’s perspective that large cities should not be monocentric. He advocates for several town centers, promoting localized retail, leisure options, employment, and educational facilities. Consequently, there will be less need for movement across the city.

These centers should be interconnected through cycle lanes, walkways, and a well-integrated, affordable public transport system, similar to those being developed in various Chinese cities.

Integrating Farming into Urban Life

Growing awareness about the environmental impact of agriculture, coupled with increased interest in gastronomy, has popularized the consumption of locally sourced food. Consequently, urban farming initiatives are on the rise, with cities like Rotterdam launching innovative projects like floating dairy farms.

These offshore facilities harbor cows that consume bio-waste, including park cuttings and potato scraps from local food businesses. Minke van Wingerden, a partner in the farm, explains, “Our cows eat the biomass residue from the city and convert it into fresh milk and yogurt,” adding plans for additional vegetable and chicken farms.

Offshore agriculture isn’t a new concept; communities in Bangladesh, Mexico, and India have long embraced floating farms. Van Wingerden believes this concept will become increasingly vital as rising tides challenge traditional farming practices.

Predicting the future of urban design is undeniably challenging. However, Gehl asserts there is a clear indication of the direction we are heading. “There is a growing trend toward more livable and vibrant cities that prioritize public life,” he observes, noting this shift began around the year 2000. “The modernist movement of architecture and motor-oriented city planning has persisted long enough for people to become tired of its drawbacks.”

Whether the Indonesian government—which has vowed that its new capital will embody ideals of being “green,” “clean,” and the latest in “technology,” but still depends heavily on foreign private investment—will heed this wisdom remains uncertain. Nevertheless, it is evident that for the new Jakarta to thrive in a modern context, it must be fundamentally different from the old.