Jakarta ranks among the world’s largest cities when its vast metropolitan area is counted, yet it is being relocated as climate pressures grow and natural disasters become more frequent. Nusantara will become Indonesia’s new capital, taking shape on Borneo amid a debate over environmental and social consequences that accompany such a shift.
Beyond the island, the eastern forests of Borneo are being surveyed with roads and signage, marking the government’s early steps toward establishing the new capital. It is a project with monumental scale, justified by ecological aims but drawing cautions from scientists and ecologists about broader implications.
The administration has promised a sustainable forest city with an ambitious target of carbon neutrality by 2045. Critics warn that the plan could harm ecosystems, compress habitats for endangered species like orangutans, and displace Indigenous communities who depend on the land for their livelihoods.
Land designated for the city is under consideration for occupation, while authorities push a bold urban vision that seeks to balance forest protection with development needs.
The initiative to move the capital began under President Joko Widodo amid worries about Jakarta’s overcrowding, pollution, and vulnerability to earthquakes and subsidence, with sea‑level rise and extreme weather linked to climate change providing the rationale for shifting government functions to Nusantara.
Twice the size of New York
The plan envisions an area roughly double the size of New York City. Officials describe a forward‑looking, green city centered on forests, parks, and local food production, powered by renewable energy, advanced waste management, and energy‑efficient buildings.
“We need to look beyond today and plan for the future,” said Bambang Susantono, head of the Nusantara National Capital Authority, outlining the city’s layout and its capacity to adapt to changing conditions.
Government visuals show a city ringed by trees, sidewalks shaded by canopies, vegetation‑covered roofs, and water features integrated throughout the urban landscape.
7,000 workers on the move
The architectural concept blends modern skyscraper design with traditional Indonesian motifs, including a presidential palace inspired by the Garuda—the mythical bird that serves as a national emblem—with other structures nodding to local heritage. Indigenous communities on the island are a central consideration for how the project progresses.
Progress is visible even as construction continues. A minister stated in February that the city’s infrastructure had reached around 14 percent completion, signaling steady advancement.
Around 7,000 workers are clearing land and initiating early urbanization. Temporary dormitories and a helipad are in use as the project scales up. Major buildings, including the presidential palace, are planned for near‑term completion.
Photographs from early March showed earth moved by machinery, with some sites featuring QR codes that allow visitors to explore 3D renderings of the finished area; other signs outlined future plans.
The government has emphasized environmental safeguards, fencing off trees to protect them during construction and launching a government replanting nursery as part of conservation efforts.
Environmental and domestic criticism
Conservation groups warn that a metropolis could accelerate deforestation in one of the world’s oldest rainforest regions. The forests, often called the lungs of the earth, absorb carbon dioxide and support diverse wildlife. Palm oil plantations and coal mines have already altered the landscape, and critics fear further forest loss could erode biodiversity.
Experts from the Indonesian Living Environment Forum caution that the project may not fully account for threatened wildlife such as orangutans and sun bears and could disrupt key animal corridors on the island. Some argue that animals should be relocated carefully before major construction begins.
There are concerns about governance and energy strategy. While the plan promotes a smart energy system, questions remain about the continued use of coal‑fired plants. Indonesia holds strong untapped potential in solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, and wind power, but current utilization is a fraction of capacity. Public transport could reduce car use, yet long‑distance air travel between Nusantara and Jakarta, about 1,300 kilometers apart, could offset gains in emissions reductions.
“We don’t want to move”
Indigenous communities fear the impact of expansion on their land and cultural heritage. The administration has pledged to respect Indigenous rights and to compensate those displaced, with local officials tasked to verify land claims based on official titles, though much land has been transferred through customary use rather than formal paperwork.
Residents have expressed concerns about relocation, graves, and changes to traditional homelands. The fear of losing ancestral sites remains a strong grievance for many families.
Bambang Susantono, chairman of the Nusantara Capital Authority, noted that locals have several options, including compensation, relocation, or joint ownership of enterprises to sustain livelihoods. He urged understanding that the project aims to benefit the broader population while acknowledging the burden on some communities.
As Indonesia continues to attract investment, construction presses on with plans to officially open Nusantara on August 17, aligning with national independence celebrations. The city’s leadership envisions Nusantara as a dynamic, modern metropolis, not simply a government seat, and as the city of tomorrow.
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