Indonesia's new capital opens – replacing Jakarta

Near the forests of Borneo, one of only two places in the world where orangutans are found, Indonesia's new capital is emerging.

The reason for the capital change is that Jakarta is sinking underwater. The problem has been growing in recent years as the city has faced problems such as heavy rainfall, flooding and rising sea levels.

The fastest sinking city in the world

Some parts of the city are sinking by up to 30 centimeters a year, and a third of the city is expected to be underwater, according to Indonesia’s National Research Institute. As early as 2030, parts of the city are expected to become uninhabitable, and many experts describe Jakarta, home to nearly 11 million people, as the world’s fastest-deteriorating city.

Meanwhile, Jakarta faced major problems of traffic congestion, environmental pollution and overpopulation.

So in 2022, the Indonesian government decided to build a new capital more than 1,000 kilometers from Jakarta. The committee responsible for planning the new city described the move as “absolutely necessary.” Washington Post.

Water, electricity and infrastructure are not yet provided.

Although Nusantara’s first official celebration on the country’s independence day, Aug. 17, could go ahead as planned, the city is said to be far from ready. The cost has been estimated at $32 billion. The government’s plan is to allow private investment to finance about 80 percent of the costs, but it has so far struggled to attract investors.

The entire new city is filled with construction sites, and according to many estimates made, the city will not be ready for operation before 2040, writes Deutsche Welle.

Nusantara is not the country’s official capital, and a necessary presidential decree is still missing. The current president, who himself moved there two weeks ago, has opened the door to signing a deal before his term ends in October, but says it depends on whether water, electricity and other infrastructure are ready by then.