In Indonesia, construction is currently underway on a new city called Nusantara, which will serve as the country’s new capital. The decision to move the capital from Jakarta to Nusantara was made due to the climate crisis, with Jakarta at risk of sinking due to rising sea levels.
Located on the northwest coast of Java, Jakarta is Indonesia’s current capital and largest city, home to over 10.6 million people and about 30 million in the metropolitan area. However, about 40% of Jakarta is now below sea level.
Nusantara is being built on the eastern coast of Borneo, approximately 870 miles north of Jakarta. The construction of Nusantara is estimated to cost $35 billion and is expected to be completed by 2045. Despite the completion date, about 6,000 government workers are expected to move to Nusantara in time for the next president’s inauguration in October.
The decision to move the capital from Jakarta to Nusantara follows a trend of countries relocating their capitals, with Brazil moving from Rio de Janeiro to Brasilia in 1960 and Nigeria moving from Lagos to Abuja in 1991. However, this is the first time the climate crisis has played a significant role in the decision-making process.
The Indonesian government’s choice was prompted by Jakarta’s position as the world’s fastest-sinking megacity due to rising sea levels. As such, Nusantara was chosen as a safer location for Indonesia’s future capital city development.
