Lecture Notes: Jakarta's Sinking Crisis

Introduction

• Location: Waladuna Mosque, Jakarta
• Current State: Roof in ruins, moss on walls, sea water in the mosque
• Last Prayer: 2001; now a warning sign for Jakarta

Jakarta's Sinking Problem

• Sinking: Jakarta is sinking, not just facing sea level rise
• Historical Sinking: Since the 1970s, significant portions have sunk
• Area Most Affected: North coast, sinking by ~25 cm/year
• Impact: Destabilizes area, damages homes, risks to 10 million residents
• Future Risk: Large parts could be underwater by 2050

Causes of Sinking

• Geography: Built on swampy plain, low coastal land with 13 rivers
• Main Cause: Lack of access to clean, piped water
• Groundwater Extraction:
  • Wells drilled into aquifers
  • Acts like deflating sponge when over-pumped
  • Groundwater recharge hindered by concrete development

Historical Context

• Colonization: Dutch colonial era, started in 1600s
• Development: Batavia as a Dutch-style city
• Canal System: Deteriorated canals led to disease and segregation

Water Infrastructure

• Colonial Legacy: Limited piped water infrastructure
• Piped Water Access: Under 50% today
• Groundwater Dependence: Continues due to lack of alternatives

Government Response

• Proposed Solutions:
  • 2014 Seawall project and Dutch collaboration
  • Partial completion: 10 km of seawalls
  • Ambitious plan for 38 km wall taking potentially 30 years
• Past Examples: Tokyo, Taipei, Shanghai, Bangkok managed similar issues
• Current Status: Rapid action needed to stop sinking

Conclusion

• Dutch Legacy: Jakarta suffers from past colonial infrastructure
• Urgency: Call for government to provide clean, piped water to halt sinking
• Future Outlook: Jakarta risks continuing to sink if no changes are made