Maturing Jakarta

and promoting equity, as shown in the city’s significant contribution to the national economy in a consistent manner and efforts to keep poverty at a low rate. Jakarta’s Human Development Index has steadily increased over the last 10 years and reached a record high 80.06 in 2017, well above the national mark of 70.81.

As a result of its economic might, Jakarta will remain a magnet for people in the rest of the country. To a certain extent it will be reflected in the arrival of newcomers to the capital city following the end of the Idul Fitri holiday.

At 491 years old, Jakarta is home to 10.37 million people, with a population growth of 1.06 percent, according to Central Statistics Agency (BPS) data in 2017. The figures mean the city’s density is growing at an alarming level.

Today, 15,158 people share one square km of Jakarta’s land compared to the national average of 130 per sq km, and this will increase the city’s burden if no drastic measures are taken by both the Jakarta and central governments.

One solution is to move the administrative capital to another city. At the end of last year, the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) completed a study on a number of possible locations for a new capital, all located outside of Java. Bappenas chief Bambang Brodjonegoro said whether and when a definite plan materialised was up to the commitment of the President and the House of Representatives.

While policymakers are unlikely to consider the relocation of the capital a priority, particularly because of general election next April, Jakartans will continue to confront their daily problems, which are traffic gridlock and floods.

Using public transportation, for example, is a cheap solution. Strangely, many Jakartans opt to exacerbate the traffic madness, as evident in the growing number of private cars and motorcycles travelling across the city. Economic losses resulting from wasted fuel and the late delivery of goods as a result of traffic congestion were estimated at 100 trillion rupiah ($7 billion) last year, according to the Greater Jakarta Transportation Management Body (BPTJ).

There are actually choices for Jakartans to escape from the routine headaches, but they lack the will. While Jakarta is growing older, its people are not mature enough to inhabit this metropolis.