New city, old problems: People struggle as Nusantara rises - Archipelago - The Jakarta Post

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Challenges in Nusantara

The article discusses the difficulties faced by residents near the new Indonesian capital, Nusantara, despite the government's ambitious project. While the move aims to alleviate Jakarta's overpopulation and pollution, the new capital is experiencing its own set of problems.

Problems Faced by Residents

Rising crime rates
Untreated waste
Shortage of clean water

These issues contrast with the government's vision of a smart city, raising concerns about the relocation project's impact on local communities. Despite some economic benefits, like the increased restaurant business for some residents, safety concerns are growing.

Jakarta's Problems Resurface

The article highlights a paradoxical situation: Jakarta's problems, the very reason for the capital relocation, seem to be repeating in Nusantara. This raises questions about the planning and execution of the massive relocation project.

Conclusion

The narrative underscores the complex reality of relocating a national capital and the unforeseen challenges that arise, even with careful planning. The article concludes with a reflective note on the issues the new capital is already facing.

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J

ust two months ago, former West Java governor and architect Ridwan Kamil made a bold prediction that the country’s future capital of Nusantara in East Kalimantan would be like Jakarta by the time the country marked its 79th Independence Day.

As construction workers toil day and night to meet the government’s Aug. 17 deadline for unveiling Nusantara, Ridwan’s prophetic statement might have already come true, for all the wrong reasons.

Since President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo first announced the Nusantara relocation and development project in 2019, work has been underway on a site four times the area of Jakarta to build the new capital, designed as a smart city with a forest city concept, complete with state-of-the-art buildings and cutting-edge technology.

Why move the capital? According to Jokowi, the 500-year-old metropolis of Jakarta is plagued by perennial problems ranging from pollution and overpopulation to traffic congestion, and then some.

But it seems that Jakarta’s problems are part and parcel of the relocation project, with residents in areas surrounding the future capital complaining about various issues, from rising crime rates to untreated waste and a shortage of clean water.

While an influx of workers and other new arrivals has boosted the restaurant business of Sulis Sugiarti, who lives on the doorstep of Nusantara in Sepaku district, North Penajam Paser regency, she is now concerned about safety.

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Private and construction vehicles travel in traffic on July 25, 2024, on a road leading to Nusantara in North Penajam Paser regency, East Kalimantan. (JP/Salman M. Vermonte)