Indonesia is the world’s fourth-largest country by population. Following a long history of colonisation and dictatorship, it has been a democracy since 1998 and is set to become the sixth-largest economy in the world by 2027. Jakarta, one of the world’s largest cities, is currently its capital, but this is set to change in 2045 with the opening of the planned Indonesian Capital City (IKN) in Nusantara, currently under construction.
Jakarta faces major urban human rights issues: uncontrolled groundwater extraction is causing the entire urban basin to sink at a rate of 28 cm per year, with 95% of Northern Jakarta expected to be underwater by 2050; clean potable piped water is not available to residents; and the city’s groundwater, surface rivers, and canals are extremely polluted.
To meet its net zero by 2050 target Jakarta, and Indonesia more broadly, have recently introduced ambitious climate change policies and initiatives, some of which recognise the need to prioritise marginalised communities in engagement and, crucially, delivery. The Indonesia Green Affordable Housing Programme aims to combine affordability and sustainability, while the new green spaces programme is not going far enough to tackle the imbalance in park access between more and less affluent neighbourhoods. As these programmes are relatively new, it’s too early to assess their human rights impact, but the deep underlying inequalities undoubtedly present structural barriers to effective action.
For more information, read the Jakarta City Summary Report
Opportunities for the green transition
Indonesia’s Green Affordable Housing Programme aims to provide affordable and environmentally-friendly housing for low-income communities. It supports green housing adaptation and mitigation, certification, and green housing finance to deliver 100,000 green housing units by 2024, 1 million Green-NetZero Ready units by 2030, and ultimately aims for 100% NetZero Carbon Housing by 2050. Whilst the ambition is impressive, rollout has been slow and impact hampered by illegal brokerage.
ProKlim (Climate Village Programme) is a government initiative that combines local wisdom, community capabilities, climate impact exposure potentials, and interactive community participation in crafting adaptation plans to climate change., The Jakarta Government’s Ikhtiar Jakarta initiative developed interfaith guidebooks to tackle climate change, recognising the crucial role of religious leaders and the potential of eco-preaching to reshape people’s mindsets.
City Future Vision: Jakarta
Integrated, green, inclusive, and resilient
The Jakarta Metropolitan Authority is a fully established and properly resourced government agency that coordinates regional development policy across the JMA’s five existing municipalities. A complete overhaul of the water system has addressed the city's sinking issue. Green spaces and the public transport network extend to peripheral areas, helping mitigate environmental and noise pollution. Inclusive urban design strategies create a city that accommodates the needs of children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Inclusive, community-led projects transform informal settlements into decent, safe, and affordable housing.
See the full insights report from the Jakarta visioning workshop held on 5 September 2023
New economic model
KOTAKU: a community-led slum upgrading programme in Jakarta
KOTAKU is a programme launched by the Ministry of Public Works and Housing which aims to revitalise slum areas by improving neighbourhood infrastructure such as water supply, drainage systems, sanitation, streets, public spaces, and sidewalks, as well as the floors, roofs and walls of substandard homes. This initiative emphasises local value and active community engagement: the government provides funds and facilitators, but each local community develops the programme, including direct involvement in building infrastructure or renovating homes.