This paper explores nature-based solutions (NbS) for Jakarta’s current water crisis. The correlation between urban resilience and the urban water cycle that is currently changing proposes a resilient answer, demanding room for nature-based solutions. Nature-based solutions utilise nature to address environmental challenges while simultaneously creating social and economic benefits. Jakarta’s past efforts to solve flood problems mostly rely on grey infrastructure and neighbourhood-scale solutions. This calls for an integrated grey and green infrastructure with a wider scale, such as the city-scale of a river-basin scale of NbS. This study mentions two examples of nature-based solutions: a living river in Singapore and sponge cities in China. Implementing nature-based solutions in Jakarta requires consideration regarding the opportunities and challenges in the city to optimise the solutions to address the water crisis.

The transportation sector is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions in Indonesia (IESR, 2023). Electric vehicles (EVs) have emerged as a promising option for transitioning towards more sustainable transportation. However, while EVs offer advantages in reducing emissions, challenges remain concerning electricity generation and battery production. Strategies such as circular economy practices and increasing the share of renewable energy can help maximise the environmental benefits of EVs.

Urban floods, exacerbated by high-frequency extreme rainfall attributed to urban climate variability and climate change, have intensified globally. This phenomenon has escalated in South Tangerang, Indonesia, due to increased monthly rainfall and inadequate urban drainage systems. Flood occurrences, particularly in flood-prone areas like Pondok Aren, Ciputat, and Pamulang districts, have surged, affecting numerous households. Contributing factors include land use changes, poor drainage infrastructure, and lack of community engagement in flood preparedness. While government initiatives like Urban Drainage System regulations and community programs aim to address these issues, challenges persist, necessitating comprehensive solutions. Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) offer promising mitigation strategies by mimicking natural hydrological processes, reducing runoff, and enhancing groundwater recharge. In South Tangerang, adopting SUDS, exemplified by bio pore infiltration holes, presents a viable path toward sustainable urban drainage and flood risk reduction, echoing successful implementations elsewhere, like in Gurugram City, India.

According to Bappenas (2021), construction waste in 2021 totals 29 million tons and is expected to rise by 82% by 2030. This can be a threat to the environment since it increases carbon emissions and the contamination of water and soil with dangerous compounds. To address the issue, the circular economy concept can be employed as a model for sustainable waste management. The adoption of the circular economy concept for construction waste has the potential to generate economic benefits of IDR 172.5 trillion in 2030 (Bappenas, 2021). In Indonesia, the West Java government is ambitious in advancing large infrastructure development, particularly in Rebana Metropolitan. Infrastructure development has implications for increasing the amount of construction waste. Therefore, this study is conducted to explain the strategy for managing and utilizing circular economy-based infrastructure construction waste management in Metropolitan Rebana. This study uses a descriptive-qualitative analysis with a comprehensive literature review. The results show that the processing of construction waste in Rebana Metropolitan can be developed using a circular economy approach, including deconstruction activities, selective demolition, waste reuse, and waste recycling. The findings become input for increasing economic opportunities while reducing waste and carbon emissions at Rebana Metropolitan.

This op-ed discusses the challenges and potential solutions related to air pollution and urban development in Jakarta. It highlights the negative impact of car-centric approaches on air quality and public health, and how walking is important as a means to reduce air pollution and promote exercise and social interaction. However, pedestrians in urban areas are exposed to air pollution, which poses health risks. The high levels of air pollution in Jakarta emphasises the need for emission prevention to reduce health problems and economic losses. There needs to be a mechanism for air quality monitoring, such has been done by various platforms and organisations that offer air quality monitoring data to the public. Additionally, government efforts to improve air quality in Jakarta include policies, such as the odd-even plate policy, the establishment of Low Emission Zones, and the plan to increase pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure in the city. In conclusion, the abstract emphasises the importance of prioritizing walking and utilising public transportation as a means to reduce air pollution in Jakarta, while acknowledging the challenges posed by political dynamics in city planning. It encourages small steps toward change as a reliable solution.

ASEAN