Nusantara: Indonesia builds a new capital

Indonesia will soon have a new capital city deep in the lush forests of Borneo. Nusantara will replace Jakarta, a city built by the Dutch in the 17th century that has grown into one of the largest metropolises in the world with a population of over 30 million people. The new capital could not be more different: it is planned as a forest city with 75 per cent of the land set aside to provide access for wildlife; buildings will be connected by walkways to encourage pedestrians; and there is a commitment to green energy and transport from the start.

Nusantara's architects and planners, all of them Indonesian, have set out a dream of a global city to be built over the next two decades, growing to house a population of four million. President Joko Widodo has even announced plans to bid for the 2036 Olympics there. The ambition is a city that represents the diversity of Indonesia and balances economic development across the archipelago, which for decades has been concentrated on Java.

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