Construction of Nusantara, the future capital of Indonesia, has begun amid controversy and concerns for the welfare of indigenous communities in the area. The planned metropolis is set to be built in the untouched jungle of Kalimantan, with an estimated cost of $34 billion. It will serve as the new administrative capital, replacing the sinking Jakarta, and when completed in 2045, will be the youngest and newest administrative capital in the world.
The name ‘Nusantara’, which means ‘archipelago’, was chosen to represent Indonesia’s 17,000 islands. A video released by the government depicts an idyllic city where avant-garde buildings merge with vast green spaces, but the reality is that construction is already causing controversy due to its potential impact on the indigenous communities living in that area, as well as their traditional way of subsistence.
The island of Borneo, where Nusantara is being built, is home to 21 indigenous groups and the construction of this new capital will not only result in their relocation, but also the plundering of their traditional lands. This has sparked concerns among international organizations and the Alliance of Indigenous Peoples of the Archipelago, which is made up of 1992 indigenous groups, has highlighted the potential negative impact of the deployment of the metropolis.
While Nusantara presents a vision of a modern, resilient and sustainable city, the construction has already begun with controversy and concerns about its impact on the environment and indigenous communities.