City Profile: Jakarta

Abstract

With a population of 10.56 million, Jakarta is one of the megacities in the emerging economies facing massive problems of urban growth. Despite rapid developments in infrastructure and public facilities, an increased population growth inevitably creates the situation in which Jakarta has to deal with a long list of urban issues, from housing inequality, chronic traffic jams, and environmental pollution. It renders Jakarta to become increasingly vulnerable due to the sheer quantity of human activities and an impending ecological disaster. This paper provides an account of how Jakarta seeks to enhance its resilience against urban risks and hazards. The purpose of this city profile is twofold. First, it explores the gradual efforts Jakarta has taken to create the conditions for a resilient city that have been shaped by a shift from one leadership to another. Second, it highlights technical, environmental, and organisational challenges Jakarta is facing to achieve its resilience goals. We recommend that more efforts to develop data infrastructures and policy integration to accelerate the transformation process that would transform Jakarta into a truly resilient megacity.