Determining Jakarta’s Future Direction

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

Residents cross the mural to welcome the 495th Anniversary of DKI Jakarta at Palmeriam, Matraman, East Jakarta, Sunday (19/6/2022).

At 495 years old, Jakarta has become a major city in the world, even though technically, it is no longer the nation’s capital. Jakarta has nearly all the facilities expected in a metropolis.

For nearly five centuries, Jakarta has been Indonesia’s center of government as well as the country’s business and economic center. Compared to other cities in the country, Jakarta has almost all the facilities common to major cities in the world. Its physical infrastructure helps the residents’ mobility, while its digital infrastructure has enabled the city to quickly adopt an economy based on information technology and the internet.

On the other hand, Jakarta has many problems such as socioeconomic inequality, air pollution, rising sea levels, land subsidence due to groundwater extraction, and population density. Jakarta also faces the issue of environmental carrying capacity in enabling its residents to live healthy, decent, and happy lives.

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Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan, when delivering his speech at an event to commemorate Jakarta's anniversary on 22 June 2022, said the theme of this year’s celebration was collaboration, acceleration and elevation, with an aim to develop the city in a spirit of cooperation and elevating Jakarta's standing to become a global city (Kompas, 23/6/2022).

The desire to turn Jakarta into a global city is no exaggeration. Indonesia has one of the largest areas among countries in the world, as well as the fourth largest population and the 15th largest economy, and Jakarta is still its administrative and financial hub, even though many foreigners may be more familiar with Bali as representing Indonesia.

NINA SUSILO

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan

The question is, what does Jakarta want to excel in as a global city? With a population of more than 20 million people, Greater Jakarta has the potential to become a economic and business city. Jakarta can also choose to develop into a service city, developing more specific services fpr a comparative advantage.

Jakarta cannot stand alone if it wants to become a world-class city. It still needs a more supportive ecosystem. The key requirement is to offer ease of licensing, with regulations and national laws ensuring that businesses can compete fairly and equally. Complicated bureaucracy and corruption must be minimized, if not eliminated altogether.

A tolerant and comfortable city will attract talents from various regions and countries, which can contribute in turn to the city’s development.

An in-depth study is necessary to determine the direction of Jakarta's future development. What is certain to attract newcomers, including businesses, is that the city supports its residents’ creative development. This can only be realized if Jakarta grows into a city of tolerance. A tolerant and comfortable city will attract talents from various regions and countries, which can contribute in turn to the city’s development.

One thing that is clear is that Jakarta must become an environmentally friendly city. The green economy and businesses that produce zero greenhouse gas emissions must be the basis for Jakarta’s future development.

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.