The relocation of Indonesia’s capital from Jakarta to Nusantara is framed as a solution to the environmental crisis facing the sinking city. However, the relocation raises significant concerns, including land degradation, displacement of Indigenous communities, social inequality, and overlooked environmental issues. Without a more inclusive and sustainable approach, the relocation could exacerbate inequalities in both the new and old capitals.
by Mediatrix Recella
17 August marked a historic shift for Indonesia, as the nation held its Independence Day celebrations in both Jakarta and its newly designated capital, Nusantara, located in East Kalimantan, Borneo. The relocation of the capital is driven by urgent concerns, particularly the environmental challenges faced by Jakarta, which is rapidly sinking due to land subsidence and rising sea levels. The relocation, framed as a green initiative, aims to prioritise sustainability in national development. However, it raises important questions about social equity and the implications for communities in both the cities affected by this monumental change.
From “Sinking City” to “Forest City”
Jakarta is extremely vulnerable to the deadly combination of inundation and sea level rise [1], with around 40% of the city already below sea level [2]. Each year, the ground level in Jakarta drops by around 3 to 10 centimetres [3]. Beyond the sinking problem, Java, the island on which Jakarta is located, faces deforestation, biodiversity loss, overpopulation, and pollution, calling into question the city’s long-term sustainability [4].
In contrast, the new capital city Nusantara will be in East Kalimantan, on the island of Borneo. This proposed location offers the lowest potential for natural disasters[3]. Nusantara also offers ample land and resources, and has high accessibility thanks to existing infrastructure, a shorter distance to the main cities in Kalimantan, and proximity to the country’s primary trading route, the Makassar Strait. [3]
The purpose-built “Forest City” styles itself, in concept, as a smart, sustainable, and green city, with strict environmental standards for construction and development. Government plans mandate that 65% of its area will be forested [5]. Additionally, they pledge to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045, ensuring that 100% of the new city’s energy requirements are met through renewable sources and outpacing Indonesia’s national goal of net-zero by 2060 [6]. President Joko Widodo calls the city “a manifestation of Indonesia’s commitment to tackling climate change” [7].
Environmental justice implications of the relocation
The land availability in the proposed location for the new capital city is sufficient for the government’s plans, but its development requires careful planning to prevent environmental harm and protect local communities [3].
Much of the construction materials, including sand and rock, are being sourced from the island of Sulawesi, which has led to environmental problems like increased flooding and dust pollution in the region. Walhi, an Indonesian environmental NGO, attributes these issues to excessive quarrying, which is degrading the land and harming local communities [8]. The group also cited significant dust and pollution at the construction site in Nusantara, which is already affecting local ecosystems and public health [5].
Indigenous communities are particularly vulnerable to this large-scale development. The Alliance of Indigenous People of the Archipelago (AMAN) estimates that over 20,000 Indigenous individuals could be displaced, many of whom struggle to prove land ownership and secure compensation [9]. Indigenous communities in nearby villages have also voiced frustration over restricted access to forests, while companies continue to exploit the land, underscoring persistent environmental injustices [5].
The large-scale migration of people to Nusantara, which is expected to occur over the coming decades, could also exacerbate economic inequality and ignite social conflicts [10]. This is particularly concerning due to the presence of at least 21 indigenous groups comprising over 200,000 individuals across the area [10]. Such internal mass migration may deepen the divide between privileged newcomers and Indigenous and local communities already affected by environmental damage. Indigenous groups in place already believe their rights are being overlooked, with migrants from other provinces prioritised in this relocation project [9]. At the same time, only the wealthier class and civil servants can afford to migrate immediately. Poorer communities in Jakarta will be left behind to continue bearing the brunt of the climate impacts in the city.
Social inequalities are already evident in Jakarta, where the effects of extreme weather disproportionately impact poorer communities. These areas that are more prone to flooding and land subsidence are often neglected by government responses, further exacerbating existing disparities [11].
Current legislation on disaster mitigation and water management in Indonesia does not encompass or allow for imagining future scenarios, which is needed for a city that is predicted to sink faster than any other city in the world [11,12]. Moreover, the country lacks comprehensive laws for climate change adaptation [13]. While the government’s plan projects a population shift of 1.9 million to Nusantara by 2045, Jakarta’s demographic and environmental crises remain urgent and unresolved in the short term [14].
Conclusion
The development of Nusantara requires an in-depth evaluation of social justice implications for East Kalimantan and policy reforms to address the environmental issues still plaguing Jakarta. While the government’s megaproject is branded as sustainable and forward-looking, it lacks a cohesive strategy for addressing the environmental and demographic challenges in both the old and new capitals.
Furthermore, the extravagant scale of the construction undermines the ‘sinking city’ narrative, as it could result in further deforestation and higher emissions, ultimately contributing further to environmental changes such as rising sea levels, increased rainfall, and other climate challenges.
Ultimately, if the relocation is indeed a genuine climate solution, then it must not abandon the most vulnerable and marginalised populations – whether they reside in Jakarta, Nusantara, or beyond.
References:
[1] Stephanie Lyons, “The Jakarta Floods of Early 2014: Rising Risks in One of the World’s Fastest Sinking Cities.” The State of Environmental Migration 2015: Review of the Year 2014, International Organization for Migration; Sciences Po, 2015, pp. 103–20, https://publications.iom.int/books/state-environmental-migration-2015-review-2014.
[2] Michael Kimmelman and Josh Haner, “Jakarta Is Sinking So Fast, It Could End Up Underwater.” The New York Times, 21 Dec. 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/12/21/world/asia/jakarta-sinking-climate.html.
[3] Alfath Satria Negara Syaban and Seth Appiah-Opoku, “Building Indonesia’s new capital city: an in-depth analysis of prospects and challenges from current capital city of Jakarta to Kalimantan”, Urban, Planning and Transport Research, Volume 11, 2023 – Issue 1, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21650020.2023.2276415.
[4] Paige Van de Vuurst and Luis E. Escobar, “Perspective: Climate Change and the Relocation of Indonesia’s Capital to Borneo”, Frontiers in Earth Science, vol. 8, Jan. 2020. Frontiers, https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2020.00005.
[5] Joseph Rachman, “Indonesia’s New Capital is a Mess of Trees and Dirt”, Foreign Policy, 14 June 2024. https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/06/14/nusantara-indonesia-new-capital-environment-indigenous-land/, accessed 26 September 2024.
[6] IKN – Ibu Kota Negara, official government website, https://ikn.go.id/, accessed 01 October 2024.
[7] Sekretariat Kabinet Republik Indonesia, Office of Assistant to Deputy Cabinet Secretary for State Documents & Translation. “Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at Beranda Nusantara’s ‘Towards the New National Capital’, February 23, 2022”, 23 Feb. 2022, https://setkab.go.id/en/remarks-of-president-of-the-republic-of-indonesia-at-beranda-nusantaras-towards-the-new-national-capital-february-23-2022/, accessed 27 September 2024.
[8] Hans Nicholas Jong, “Indonesia’s new ‘green’ capital drives environmental damage far and wide”, Mongabay, 27 August 2024, https://news.mongabay.com/2024/08/indonesias-new-green-capital-drives-environmental-damage-far-and-wide/, accessed 27 September 2024.
[9] Jessica Washington and Syarina Hasibuan, “‘Like we don’t exist’: Indigenous fear Indonesia new capital plan”, Al Jazeera, 15 Mar 2023, aljazeera.com/news/2023/3/15/like-we-dont-exist-indigenous-fear-indonesia-new-capital-plan, accessed 27 September 2024.
[10] Yanuar Nugroho, “Parsing Objections to Moving Indonesia’s Capital”, Fulcrum, 2 March 2022, https://fulcrum.sg/parsing-objections-to-moving-indonesias-capital/, accessed 01 October 2024.
[11] Saut Sagala et al., “The Evolution of Risk and Vulnerability in Greater Jakarta: Contesting Government Policy in Dealing with a Megacity’s Exposure to Flooding.” Institute of Resource Governance and Social Change Working Paper, no. 2, January 2013, pp. 1–18, https://researchers.cdu.edu.au/en/publications/the-evolution-of-risk-and-vulnerability-in-greater-jakarta-contes, accessed 01 October 2024.
[12] Like the Disaster Management Law of 24/2007, the Water Law of 7/2004, and the Spatial Planning Law of 26/2007.
[13] Laely Nurhidayah and Alistair McIlgorm, “Coastal Adaptation Laws and the Social Justice of Policies to Address Sea Level Rise: An Indonesian Insight,” Ocean & Coastal Management, vol. 171, Apr. 2019, pp. 11–18. ScienceDirect, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2019.01.011, accessed 01 October 2024.
[14] Deden Rakmana, “Thinking through the Socio-Political Implications of Indonesia’s Capital Relocation with Dr. Deden Rukmana,” Georgetown Journal of International Affairs Dialogues, 11 May 2024, https://gjia.georgetown.edu/2024/05/11/thinking-through-the-socio-political-implications-of-indonesias-capital-relocation-with-dr-deden-rukmana/, accessed 30 September 2024.