Why is Jakarta sinking? More than a quarter of Jakarta’s 661.5 square kilometres will be submerged by water in less than a decade. According to a study by the geodesy research division of the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), seawater could cover as much as 26.9 percent of Jakarta by 2025. If this trend continues, 35.6 percent of ASEAN’s largest city will eventually be completely submerged. Graphic: The ASEAN Post
Why is Jakarta sinking? More than a quarter of Jakarta’s 661.5 square kilometres will be submerged by water in less than a decade. According to a study by the geodesy research division of the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), seawater could cover as much as 26.9 percent of Jakarta by 2025. If this trend continues, 35.6 percent of ASEAN’s largest city will eventually be completely submerged. Graphic: The ASEAN Post

By Merrit Kennedy
29 April 2019

(NPR) – Indonesia has announced plans to build a new capital city as its current capital, Jakarta, struggles with pollution, traffic gridlock — and the fact that the city is sinking.

After a Cabinet meeting on Monday, planning minister Bambang Brodjonegoro said President Joko Widodo has decided to move the capital out of Indonesia’s main island, Java.

It’s not clear exactly when this will happen, or where the new capital would be located. The idea has been out there for decades, though previous leaders have been unable to accomplish the ambitious plan.

Earlier this month, Widodo secured another term in office, according to independent polling organizations. His challenger also declared victory, and official results have not yet been announced.

“The idea to move the capital city appeared long ago. … But it has never been decided or discussed in a planned and mature manner,” Widodo said before the meeting, according to The Associated Press.

Jakarta faces massive challenges. As the BBC has reported, it’s the fastest-sinking city in the world, with almost half of its area below sea level.

“If we look at our models, by 2050 about 95% of North Jakarta will be submerged,” Heri Andreas, an expert in Jakarta’s land subsidence at the Bandung Institute of Technology, told the broadcaster. [more]

Indonesia Plans To Move Its Capital Out Of Jakarta, A City That’s Sinking