An extraordinary project is underway in Indonesia's East Kalimantan province, on the island of Borneo. The hills, which were mostly covered by eucalyptus plantations just last year, are currently a tangle of roads, construction sites, pipelines, power cables... This area, comparable in size to the province of South Holland, will become Indonesia's new capital: Nusantara.
Professor Steffen Nijhuis (Urbanism, TU Delft) visited the area as part of a delegation of the Leiden-Delft-Erasmus Universities (LDE). He considered how LDE, and specifically Bouwkunde, can contribute to this project.
The term 'Nusantara' is intertwined with Indonesia's history. From its original meaning, the 'outer islands' of Javanese kings, the term has emerged in recent years as a generic name for Indonesia and even a slogan for national unity. A fitting name, then, for this ambitious plan. With an ambitious schedule: 17 August 2024 should see the official opening! But according to Nijhuis, there is still plenty to do for LDE afterwards: 'Construction will continue for decades, and in that quieter phase I hope our knowledge will prove useful.'
What stood out to you during your visit?
'We visited the city under construction and talked to officials and project managers. They are all experts within their fields, but many of them face enormous tasks at a relatively young age: for example, how do you build completely new infrastructure and protect nature at the same time? We also talked to leading scientists. I was very impressed by their knowledge of ecology and water-sensitive design. But I sometimes missed the long-term and interdisciplinary thinking: exploring connections between science, engineering, and design.'
Local groups can teach us a lot! For example, about circularity, ecological management, and natural protection from erosion, flooding, and drought.'
'I also visited nearby reserves of rainforest and mangrove forest. There I met local experts and communities working to protect and restore biodiversity. Thanks to them, the reserves continue to function as fish hatcheries, coastal protectors, sources of materials and food, and tourist attractions. I saw dolphins swimming around and proboscis monkeys in the trees. These groups can teach us a lot! For example, about circularity, ecological management, and natural protection from erosion, flooding, and drought.'
The construction of Nusantara is basically in a huge living lab to test the concept of a 'forest city': a sustainable city in harmony with a tropical ecosystem, something that has never been tried before.'
How might LDE contribute to Nusantara?
I also put this question to Professor Wim van den Doel, dean of LDE. He explains: 'LDE wants global impact, and the government of Indonesia offers us an excellent opportunity here. The construction of Nusantara is basically in a huge living lab to test the concept of a 'forest city': a sustainable city in harmony with a tropical ecosystem, something that has never been tried before.' Both Van den Doel and Nijhuis mention that the three universities can each contribute on the basis of their specialities. 'Leiden is among the global leaders in ecological and anthropological research, Erasmus in business and public administration, and Delft in technology and design.'
LDE is starting a consortium with 5 Indonesian universities, funded by the Indonesian government.'
According to Nijhuis, LDE should aim to: 'train civil servants and professionals, set up joint research projects, and exchange students.' Van den Doel confirms: 'LDE is starting a consortium with 5 Indonesian universities, funded by the Indonesian government. I expect the first researchers will soon be starting. Also, the first LDE minor on Nusantara will start on 1 September 2024 in Jakarta, and we are working on creating an annual 'thesis lab'. Both are open to both Dutch and Indonesian students.' Nijhuis expects that the first BK graduation projects in and about Nusantara will start as early as next year.
Photo's: Steffen Nijhuis
