Indonesia is constructing a new capital, Nusantara, in Borneo's rainforest to escape Jakarta's severe land subsidence, flooding, and overcrowding. The project aims for a forest-integrated city, addressing developmental inequality, but faces funding cuts and questions about future presidential commitment.
Indonesia is building a new capital city, Nusantara (IKN), in the Borneo jungle with significant Chinese investment. Chinese firms are clearing land and constructing roads, tunnels, and mass transit systems worth a combined 55 trillion rupiah (US$1.57 billion), transforming the ecological area that currently houses endangered sun bears.
After an hour’s drive through the jungle of Borneo, you reach more jungle. Your rental van from the Balikpapan city airport shakes precariously, navigating a partial bridge washout. A roadside sign admonishes against poaching the endangered sun bears. By hour three you’ve arrived at Indonesia’s new capital, which is due to start taking over from gridlocked, polluted and seaward-sinking Jakarta in 2028. Welcome to Ibu Kota Nusantara, known locally as just Nusantara or IKN. Eventually, if all goes...
