Urban planning - Indonesia at Melbourne

Jakarta’s future is hidden in its kampungs

It took the Dutch until the twentieth century to dig a banjir (flood) canal and it is only recently that another canal was dug to allow rivers to circumvent the city on the other side. Despite this, modern Jakarta still floods. So what is the long-term solution? Whatever approach is taken, part of the solution lies with locals in the kampungs. Small changes by individuals can make a big difference.

Indonesia’s white elephant in the jungle will be reared on foreign capital – or will it?

Economy, Uncategorized, Urban planning

Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo is scheduled to visit Australia next month, his fifth and likely last trip south as Indonesian President. He wants foreign investors to back a project that he hopes will define his legacy - shifting Indonesia’s overcrowded, over-polluted and over-stressed capital from Java 1,300 km north to Kalimantan.

Talking Indonesia: building the new capital

Infrastructure, Talking Indonesia, Urban planning

Indonesia's planned new capital, Nusantara, has set high standards of design and sustainability. Will it be able to deliver on its promises? Dr Jemma Purdey chats to Associate Professor Eka Permanasari in Talking Indonesia.

Does Indonesia really need a land bank?

Analysis, Corruption, Environment, Infrastructure, Law, Natural Resources, Policies, Urban planning

Plans for a new national land bank need to consider how the institution would meet the government’s goals – and benefit the people.

Talking Indonesia: Covid-19 and the city

Covid-19, Talking Indonesia, Urban planning

What did 'large scale social distancing' (PSBB) look like in Indonesia's cities? As public space opens up again, how will Indonesia’s urban dwellers respond? Dr Jemma Purdey chats to Dr Amanda Achmadi in the latest episode of Talking Indonesia.

Indonesia’s curious eulogy for a global fast food giant

Analysis, Society, Urban planning

Why did the recent closure of a McDonald’s in Jakarta cause such a stir? A look at the history and pattern of urban development in Jakarta gives some clues, writes Catriona Croft-Cusworth.

Testing the water: flood victims take Anies to court

2019 Indonesian Elections, Analysis, Law, Politics, Society, Urban planning

A group of residents have filed a class action against Governor Anies Baswedan over widespread flooding in early January. Will they have any luck? Laras Susanti examines the case.

Talking Indonesia: Jakarta's floods

Society, Talking Indonesia, Urban planning

Informal riverbank settlements are often blamed for flooding in Jakarta. In Talking Indonesia this week, Dr Jemma Purdey chats to Roanne von Voorst about these communities, how they live with the dual threats of flooding and eviction, and the role they can play in tackling flooding.

Best of 2019: articles

2019 Indonesian Elections, Analysis, Corruption, Gender, Human Rights, Law, Political parties, Politics, Religion, Society, Urban planning

Indonesia at Melbourne will again be taking a break over the Christmas and New Year period. Here we list the most popular articles, plus a few of our favourites, from 2019. We look forward to seeing you again when we return in mid-January.

Posted in: Urban planning