Who: Frank Sedlar Profession: Fulbright Fellow to Indonesia Expertise: Civil Engineering Organisation: Peta Jakarta
“Everyone knows that Jakarta suffers from very severe annual flooding. But this flooding is not the result of an unmanageable amount of water or a lack of infrastructure. Rather the existing infrastructure is so poorly maintained. For example the flood canals are extremely clogged with trash. No one knows how much garbage is in the canals. It’s estimated that certain canals have lost 75% of their capacity. Pumps are damaged by the trash and pipes are clogged. For Jakarta’s infrastructure to function as it was designed, there needs to be more regular waste collection services.”
Video by Frank Sedlar www.frank-sedlar.com
Better Urban Planning Needed
Who Firdaus Ali, PhD. Profession Lecturer & researcher – Environmental Engineering Program, Univ.of Indonesia Expertise Environmental Biotechnology Organisations Indonesia Water Institute (IWI): Founder & Chairman, Indonesia Water Partnership (IWP): National Steering Committee Member, Jakarta Water Resources Council (JWRC): Council Member
“Remember my last post? I discussed how important it is for the government to prepare clean water distribution channels, in order to avoid deep ground water extraction. But do you have any idea how this is related to urban planning? With better urban planning, land subsidence potentially caused by water extraction can be prevented. How? First – and this is urgent- control deep groundwater extraction through adding more piped clean water supplies. In particular from main water resources such as the existing Jatiluhur cistern and others that will be built around Jakarta (namely Karian, Ciawi and Sukamahi cisterns). After this, building an off-shore dike planned by NCICD (National Capital Integrated Coastal Development), also known as the Giant Seawall, is duly needed. To increase living capacity as well as environmental concerns, one solution is to relocate citizens is through reclamation and arranging Jakarta Bay area. It should be a priority since Jakarta Bay isn`t maximized yet and it`s now heavily polluted.”
Floods, No Easy Fix
Who Emma Colven Occupation Geographer Organization PhD Candidate, Department of Geography
University of California, Los Angeles
“I set out to Jakarta to research the implications of climate change for flooding. However, it soon it became clear to me that land subsidence poses a more immediate threat to the city. Over the past 2.5 months in Jakarta, I have spoken with water experts and consultants, individuals from the provincial and national government, and activists and individuals from NGOs.
With the wet season upon us, flooding is a popular topic in Jakarta, and a range of solutions are being proposed, discussed, and pursued. One of the city’s major projects recently has been to dredge and “normalize” the rivers and canals to increase the carrying capacity and transport floodwaters more quickly out of the city to Jakarta Bay. Others have advocated strategies aimed at reducing surface runoff, such as reforestation in upstream areas, or increasing porous surfaces and green space in the city.
The planned NCICD, also known as the Giant Seawall project, will use pumping stations, retention space and seawalls to reduce flooding. With rapid land subsidence expected to continue, some experts see no alternative. The project proposes to turn the “threat” of flooding into an “opportunity” by creating new space for urban development, which some argue is desperately needed. Others have voiced concerns about its potential social and environmental impacts: how will the project affect communities in North Jakarta, and the livelihoods of the fisherfolk? If the decision is made to close Jakarta Bay, what might be the environmental consequences?
While it is debated in public discourses which strategies are most suitable for Jakarta, the threat of devastating flooding looms, and Jakarta is under pressure to develop and implement solutions, though this is by no means an easy task.”
Obstruction, Water and Flood
Who Candrian Attahiyat Profession Archeologist Experience Conservation Expert to Kota Tua (the Old Town)
“Do you still remember a few weeks ago when I told you about `Revitalization based on Preservation`? It`s me again, Candriyan Attahiyat – I used to work for the cultural heritage conservation unit of Old Town management agency in Jakarta. I am an archeologist who is concerned about water and flood.
Today I want to analyze the obstruction of waterways with you. Obstruction does happen when it`s flooding in Jakarta, as the flood in the city doesn’t only contain water, but a lot of waste too!
Many people consider that water is a pollutant element, but actually it`s the waste that causes the water to be polluted. You know, when the trash takes up all the space in the river, in the rainy season water rises up, there is no more space to flow because of all the waste and then you get floods. Water and waste mixes and flows through the streets. I do believe that we can reduce flood risks if Jakarta`s local government does water projects on to educate and inform on how to discard waste properly and with certain sanctions for not following the rules.
Well, flood might be hard to stop, but at least we should try to reduce it, why not?
So, let`s take some real actions!”
Semanggi at Sea
Who Firdaus Ali, PhD. Profession Lecturer & researcher – Environmental Engineering Program, Univ.of Indonesia Expertise Environmental Biotechnology Organisations Indonesia Water Institute (IWI): Founder & Chairman, Indonesia Water Partnership (IWP): National Steering Committee Member, Jakarta Water Resources Council (JWRC): Council Member
“I`ve been doing a lot of researches about water. Yes, water and water all the time in Jakarta.
In 2012, with my two ITB (Bandung Institute of Technology) Geodesy friends Prof. Dr. Ir. Hasanudin Z. Abidin & Dr. Ir. Heri Andreas we made a simulation scenario; Jakarta`s land is sinking and this is how we foresee the future.
Our simulation and scenario results were shocking when we predicted what is possible to happen in 2050!
I`ll tell you the good scenario first; Jakarta’s coastline in 2050 is possible to be in Harmoni.
Now it`s in North Jakarta and it could be in Harmoni that is central Jakarta.
Well, don`t be happy yet because; if we don`t work hard, the worst scenario for Jakarta’s future coastline could be Semanggi area, that is almost reaching South Jakarta
What we`ve found; Jakartans tend to consume water lavishly, exploitation of deep groundwater is extracted massively and most parts in Jakarta now experiences groundwater deficit. Those are the reasons why Jakarta is sinking.
We have to save our Jakarta; work smart and fast, to minimise land subsidence. It can be through total control to deep groundwater extraction or by building secured infrastructure in today`s coastline.
We all have to ACT If we don’ t want Semanggi to be the new coastline.
Flooding, history repeated
Who: Candrian Attahiyat Occupation: Archeologist Company: former head of the cultural heritage conservation unit of Old Town management agency Location: Jakarta
“Don`t complain when Jakarta is flooding. Let’ s have a look at Kota Tua; flood is happening since the colonial era. Do you know the first recording of flood in Jakarta was already in 1699? When the Cilliwung river flooded Batavia after eruption of mount Salak. It has become a part of history that is repeated. Though, flood that happens in Kota Tua is a bit difficult to handle, why? Because Kota Tua is located in low land.
Old Town is an unique area with a lot of potential. To revitalise the area, we need to keep and restore the old historic buildings and protect them. Especially from flood threat. In 1905 for the first time revitalisation to Kota Tua was done by Local Government Board (DPRD), and almost 90% of the area consisted of buildings from the 20th century.
It is a pleasure to have the government who puts their effort to keep the buildings in Kota Tua, but it is so often executed based on order solely. Let me explain; For several times, I witnessed road constructions to make the road higher, but then it made old buildings position become under the road construction; flood attacked. It would be better to revitalise Kota Tua in all layers in government structure.
Only additional road layer construction to make it higher is dangerous, don`t make the wrong assumption; it has to be part of the total revitalisation. The right approach is revitalisation based on preservation.
Untill that happens I always worry every time flood attacks.”
Who Firdaus Ali, PhD.
Who Emma Colven
Who Candrian Attahiyat
