Nusantara, the new capital of Indonesia, is rising amid one of the world’s largest treasure troves of biodiversity. Phase one of the most expensive construction project in the world will be completed this summer.
Not only Egypt is building a new capital; Indonesia is also embarking on a construction project of grotesque proportions. The current capital Jakarta is overpopulated, dirty and sinks 15 centimeters deeper into the earth’s crust every year due to poor groundwater policy. And so a new one must be created.
Nusantara: the new capital of Indonesia
There was only one solution, President Joko Widodo thought in 2017. A new capital had to be built, and it had to be in Borneo. He solemnly promised that nature would not be harmed there, but of course he would say exactly if he was going to do that. We can draw up the first balance sheet in August. Then phase one (of five) will be completed.
With a budget of $35 billion, Nusantara is the most expensive construction project in the world currently in the pipeline. Since August 1, 2022, hundreds of thousands of construction workers have been working in the jungle of Borneo. The city will not be completed until 2045, but the deadline for phase one is already this summer. Then a district with government buildings, homes, schools and roads must be completed.
Delivery has already been postponed twice and is now scheduled for September this year. As you can see, however, a lot still needs to be done.
Joko Widodo: ‘Greenest city in the world’
Nusantaro’s promise is that it will become nothing less than the greenest city in the world. Not only does 75% of the surface remain green, a gigantic solar park must also supply the city with electricity, making the city climate neutral upon completion in 2045. By then, the city should be able to house 1.9 million people.
It remains to be seen to what extent this green talk will be fulfilled. Many politicians involved in the construction of the Nusantara also have interests in local mining. They would rather see more coal being burned than solar energy. How much power do they have? In addition, nature organizations fear the effect of all construction plans on rare animals such as the proboscis monkey and the Irrawaddy dolphin.
Much is still uncertain, but we are eagerly looking forward to the completion of phase one in September this year. This phase also includes the opening of a national park and nature conservation facilities for native animal species. Manners is following it with suspicion.
Another mega project turns out to be a house of cards
The Saudis are also not averse to showing some architectural muscle. With their futuristic new city The Line However, they appear to have overplayed their hand.
