The future of our city

What future does Jakarta hold for its inhabitants, say 10, 15 or 25 years from now? That is difficult to envisage. But we know that its population will swell, and this means its problems will grow and become more complex. By the city administration's own estimates, Jakarta's population will grow from its present level of 9.2 million to 10.1 million by 2000, and to 10.9 million by 2005.

The population of the Jakarta metropolitan area -- a more realistic measure, since it includes the adjacent towns of Bogor, Tangerang and Bekasi -- will swell to 23.7 million by 2000, and 28 million by 2005. Presently ranked the world's 11th largest city, Jakarta will be in the top 10 by the year 2000, given its rapid growth rate.

Jakarta is becoming one of the world's so-called "megacities", the subject of an international conference here this week. The conference, organized jointly by the New York-based Asia Society and the Jakarta-based Center for Information and Development Studies, brought together urban experts and government officials to discuss strategies in managing urban issues in Asian megacities.

Jakarta, with its current population, is already facing immense problems that bring into question the sustainability of the city. It is already showing symptoms of urban illness. The flooding and water shortages, along with air and river pollution, are serious indications of environmental degradation which undermine the quality of life of Jakartans. Then there are the endless traffic jams, the spate of fires and the land conflicts, not to mention the psychological stress associated with urban living.

So far, Jakarta has managed to survive and grow, and the problems have either worked themselves out or became incorporated into the lives of its citizens. Like the popular sim city 2000 computer game, Jakarta seems to have a life of its own, with its own dynamism. Life goes on, and the city keeps growing, with all its shortcomings. There are no signs of its breaking down.

But who can tell what will happen some 10, 15 or 25 years down the road? Running a megacity is a completely different ball game, requiring different attitudes and a new set of cultures. While we have no reason to be pessimistic about the future, we should make some preparations today. We may not be able to predict the future, but we can influence its course.

The Asia Society conference pointed to the need for partnership between the public and private sectors in managing cities. Greater participation by the people -- residents and businesses alike -- is crucial in managing megacities, much more so than in running small cities.

In the case of the Jakarta metropolitan area, before forging such partnerships, it needs a strong and effective leadership. In this context, the recent suggestion by former environmental minister Emil Salim that Greater Jakarta should be managed by a governor of ministerial rank deserves another thorough look. Presently, Jakarta's governor appears to have too many bosses with interests which do not always tally with those of his residents. Much more than the capital of this republic, Jakarta is a city where over 10 million people live. The governor must have strong power and independence to run the city effectively.

The governor and his administration cannot manage the city effectively without the support of its residents. This calls for democratization in the way decisions affecting the city and the lives of its residents are made. It is the task of the City Council to represent the people, but there are still nagging questions about the way members are elected and about the effectiveness of the council.

The challenges facing Jakarta are immense and they will not likely become any easier with the population growing. A review of the way the city is being managed, including the various institutions involved, would be a good start to prepare Jakarta as it becomes a megacity.