Nusantara: Indonesia's $33BN Future Capital City

Summary

Indonesia's ambitious plan to build Nusantara, a 'smart forest city' to replace the sinking capital Jakarta, is explored in this script. With a $33 billion budget, the city promises to be a high-tech, eco-friendly metropolis powered by renewables, blending with the environment and featuring 65% green space. Challenges include funding, illegal mining, and displacement of indigenous communities. The project's timeline is tight, with the first phase due for completion by 2045, and questions remain about its feasibility and environmental impact.

Takeaways

• 🌆 Jakarta, the current capital of Indonesia, is facing severe issues including over-crowding, pollution, and land subsidence.
• 🏢 Nusantara is being planned as a 'smart forest city' with an estimated cost of $33 billion, aiming to be a high-tech, environmentally friendly metropolis.
• 🌿 The new capital promises 65% green space, integrating urban development with nature, and targeting carbon-neutrality by 2060.
• 🚶‍♂️ 80% of journeys within Nusantara are planned to be made by public transport, walking, or cycling, emphasizing sustainable living.
• 🏗️ Construction of Nusantara is divided into five phases, with the first phase focusing on the governmental zone and basic infrastructure, aiming for completion by 2045.
• 📍 The location for Nusantara in East Kalimantan, Borneo, was chosen for its central position, natural disaster resilience, and abundant resources.
• 🔍 The idea of relocating the capital has been discussed since the 1950s, but it was President Joko Widodo who pushed it forward, aiming for a modern and efficient capital.
• 🏛️ The design of Nusantara by Indonesian firm Urban+ emphasizes harmony with the natural environment, featuring elevated walkways and buildings on stilts for better airflow and rainwater management.
• 🕊️ The Presidential Palace is designed in the shape of Garuda, a mythical bird and national symbol of Indonesia, symbolizing knowledge, power, and bravery.
• 🚧 Construction challenges include illegal mining operations, funding issues, and the need to relocate indigenous communities, raising concerns about the project's feasibility and impact.
• 💡 While Nusantara is planned to be powered by renewables, the current reliance on coal for power generation in Indonesia may compromise its green credentials during construction.

Q & A

Why is Indonesia planning to move its capital from Jakarta to Nusantara?

Indonesia is planning to move its capital due to Jakarta's over-crowdedness, pollution, and the fact that it is sinking into the ocean at an alarming rate, with some areas sinking as much as 11 inches a year.

What is the estimated cost of building the new capital city, Nusantara?

The estimated cost of building Nusantara is around $33 billion.

What is the vision for Nusantara in terms of environmental sustainability?

Nusantara is envisioned to be a 'smart forest city' with 65% of the city designated as green space, powered entirely by renewable energy, and aiming for carbon-neutrality by 2060.

How does the design of Nusantara reflect Indonesia's cultural heritage and natural environment?

The design of Nusantara, created by Indonesian architecture and design firm Urban+, aims to work with the natural environment rather than against it, capturing the biodiversity and rich cultural heritage of Indonesia.

What is the significance of the Presidential Palace's design in the shape of Garuda?

The Garuda, a mythical bird and the national symbol of Indonesia, represents knowledge, power, and bravery. The Presidential Palace's design, with its giant glass wingspan stretching 177m, embodies these qualities and stands as a unique landmark in Nusantara.

What are the main criticisms and challenges faced by the Nusantara project?

Major criticisms and challenges include illegal mining operations affecting the site, funding difficulties with foreign investments, rushed parliamentary approval without proper oversight, displacement of indigenous communities, and concerns about the actual use of renewable energy during construction.

How does the construction of Nusantara plan to address the issue of illegal mining in the area?

The government is working on refilling abandoned mine pits, a task that should be undertaken by mining companies but is largely being funded by the government due to the scale of the issue.

What is the role of the Vice-Presidential Palace in the architectural design of Nusantara?

The Vice-Presidential Palace was designed through an open competition won by SHAU. Its design connects with indigenous Indonesian architecture, using traditional features and a longhouse concept, reflecting a modern yet culturally rooted approach.

How does the construction timeline for Nusantara break down into phases?

The construction is split into five phases, with the first phase focusing on the Governmental Zone and basic infrastructure, and subsequent phases developing mixed-use areas, mass transportation systems, and expanding services to accommodate a growing population, all due to be completed by 2045.

What is the projected population for Nusantara upon completion of all construction phases?

The final phase of construction aims to accommodate a stable population growth with a planned 1.9 million residents by 2045.

How does the Nusantara project address the issue of transportation within the city?

Nusantara plans to have 80% of journeys within the city made by public transport, walking, or cycling, with a smart public transport system designed to ensure that all necessary amenities are accessible within 10 minutes from any point in the city.