Soil Conservation in Jakarta: Protecting Our Foundations

Jakarta stands on unstable ground. Land subsidence, triggered by excessive groundwater extraction and rapid urban development, threatens both Jakarta’s soil and its future. Some areas are sinking at an alarming rate, up to 10 inches (25 cm) per year in severe cases (“Jakarta Is Sinking. Now Indonesia Has to Find a New Capital", WIRED), while averages typically hover between 3 to 10 cm annually (“Jakarta Land Drops as Deep as Nearly 3 Times the Height of Adults”, Kompas). Without intervention, much of the city, especially North Jakarta, could be submerged by 2050 (“Jakarta Is Sinking. Now Indonesia Has to Find a New Capital", WIRED). For Jakarta’s youth, this is more than a statistic, it’s a looming crisis. Soil conservation, often overlooked, is vital to preserve our environmental, political, and cultural foundations. This paper explores a hopeful vision: what if we prioritize soil conservation now, what could Jakarta look like in 2050?

Geological studies confirm Jakarta’s alarming subsidence rates: spatial data and surveys reveal rates of 1–15 cm/year, with localized hotspots sinking up to 20–25 cm/year (ResearchGate). From 1997 to 2005, averages were between 1–20 cm/year, but they have since improved to about 0.04–6.3 cm/year (2015–2022) due to better regulation and water-use policies (The Jakarta Post). The main causes have always been due to: excessive groundwater extraction, heavy construction loads, and natural consolidation of alluvial soil.

Subsidence exacerbates flooding problems, widens flood-prone zones, damages infrastructure, and increases saltwater intrusion (“Coastal Inundation and damage exposure estimation: a case study for Jakarta”, SpringerLink). Indeed, from 2000 to 2050, coastal flood zones in Jakarta are projected to expand by 110.5 km² due to a combination of subsidence and sea-level rise. If we enforce groundwater regulation, expand piped water access, and reduce excessive extraction, drawing from strategies used in Tokyo and Bangkok, we could significantly reduce subsidence (“Securing water supply key to preventing Jakarta land subsidence: govt”, ANTARA News). Jakarta could evolve into a city where soil remains stable, mangroves reclaim coastlines, and public infrastructure withstands rising tides.

By 2050, we foresee a Jakarta where soil is legally protected, zoning regulations favor permeable surfaces, and groundwater use is strictly monitored. Youth civic groups could collaborate with authorities to enforce compliance and transparency, turning "soil protection" into public policy. Cultural events and public art might celebrate “Tanah Jakarta” (Jakarta’s soil), festivals, murals, and community storytelling would remind people that the ground beneath us is both heritage and survival. Soil becomes a unifying symbol of identity and resilience. Jakarta’s youth imagine themselves not as passive bystanders but as active custodians of the city’s future. We’ll lead research, activism, and creative engagement, fostering awareness and driving policymaking. We become a generation that protects our foundations through knowledge, creativity, and civic participation.

To conclude, Jakarta’s land may be sinking, but our spirit must not follow that path. By transforming soil conservation into a central environmental and political priority, Jakarta in 2050 can be stable, green, and resilient. For us as youth, protecting soil means preserving memory, culture, and a place to call home.