Planning from the Past: The Historical Legacy of Waterfront Planning in a Southeast Asia Megacity, Jakarta

This presentation will assess how planning in Jakarta, Indonesia to address the recurring challenges of flooding and effective water management throughout the 20th century has been influenced by the historical transformation of its waterfront.  Jakarta began as the “water city” of Batavia, a place which located where it was in the 17th century specifically because it was so abundantly served by water.  Planning the new waterfront city draws upon historical precedents but also employs new technologies consistent with world cities that want to capitalize on similar access to water.  At the same time, the new waterfront city is intended as a much needed answer to the recurring devastation from flooding.  The tension between preserving the historic character of waterfront communities (which have endured flooding and deprivation but have resisted displacement) and the plans for the new waterfront where water becomes a permanent and enduring component points to the dilemmas confronted by planners is addressing the historic waterfront.  In this case, history provides meaningful answers to tough contemporary urban planning challenges.