Where is Indonesia shifting its capital to?
Indonesia is shifting its capital from Jakarta to Nusantara, on the island of Borneo. Construction of Nusantara began in August 2022, but no buildings have been built so far. The workers are still clearing the land and building access roads.
Nusantara’s inauguration will happen on 17th August 2024. Indonesia’s president, Joko Widodo, revealed the plan to shift the capital in 2019. The Indonesian parliament accepted it. Thus, the plans to shift Indonesia’s capital began.
What’s the reason behind shifting Indonesia’s capital?
Jakarta is congested, and a lot of earthquakes happen there. It is said to be the fastest-sinking city in the world. According to predictions, one-third of the city is expected to drown by 2050. This is because the Java Sea is rising rapidly due to climate change.
Jakarta’s air and groundwater are highly polluted. The city also floods frequently. The streets of Jakarta are so congested that it will cost a lot of money to the economy. Keeping all these factors in mind, the government decided to shift its capital to Nusantara.
What do we know about the new capital of Indonesia?
The new capital will be about double the size of New York. It will have forests, parks, and renewable energy resources. Nusantara will also include waste management systems and plenty of greenery.
Authorities say the city will be surrounded by forest and have walking paths lined with trees. The rooftops of buildings will be covered in plants, and the natural environment will contain ponds, creeks, etc. That’s why it is called a ‘forest city’.
Some environmentalists are concerned about the cutting down of jungle land to build the new city of Nusantara, but the government plans to make it a “green city” that works with nature instead of against it.
Some of the city’s structures will be inspired by traditional architecture used by indigenous tribes nationwide. Many construction workers are working hard to build the city as quickly as possible.
Recently, Indonesia has revealed the ground zero of its new capital city's development site. Would you like to visit the ‘forest city’ Nusantara once it is completely built? Let us know in the comments.
