Gov’t Adopts Eco-Friendly Concept for New Capital Development

President Jokowi inaugurates office of the National Democratic (NasDem) Party’s central executive board, Tuesday, (02/22), Jakarta. (Source: a screenshot)

The development of the new capital city of Indonesia (IKN) in East Kalimantan province will adopt eco-friendly concept with a 70 percent green area, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said.

The President added that at the first phase of the development, nurseries that are able to produce 20 million seedlings every year will be built.

The President unveiled that 256 thousand hectares of area is prepared for the IKN and only about 50 thousand hectares of area that will be used for facilities and infrastructures. It means that the remaining area will be functioned as green forest.

“Some of existing forest ecosystem has already damaged. Thus, we will carry out reforestation. So, do not let the assumptions about deforestation spread,” said the President in his remarks at the inauguration of the office of the National Democratic (NasDem) Party’s central executive board, Tuesday (02/22), at the NasDem Tower in Jakarta.

More than 80 percent of energy in the IKN will use green energy, the Head of State further said, adding that the Government will optimize the potential of hydropower at Kayan river in North Kalimantan province to support the use of green energy in the future IKN.

Moreover, the IKN urban planning will prioritize pedestrians, cyclists, and the use of public transportation.

“The grand concept of the IKN is a smart forest city. There will be a lot of green area, a lot of forest. All is managed by modern technology including transportation, water system, electrical system, communication infrastructure, as well as public services,” President Jokowi said.

Furthermore, the President said that the IKN development aims to promote equality and economic growth.

For the record, as many as 56 percent of Indonesian population is concentrated in Java Island and 58 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Indonesia is also concentrated in the island. Therefore, inequality of economic growth and infrastructure between regions is also still an issue in Indonesia.

“Researches on the relocation of the capital city have previously been done. Once again, the relocation of the capital city aims to foster the equality of infrastructure, economic growth, and social justice,” he remarked. (DND/UN) (AP/MUR)