Manhattan, NY, USA
Total Area: 59 sq km
Total Day Time Population: 3 millions
DKI Jakarta, Indonesia
Total Area: 660 sq km
Total Day Time Population: 12 millions
Lets do some math…
Manhattan’s total area is only of 1/11 of Jakarta’s.
But it can hold up to 1/4 of Jakarta’s day time populations (populations + commuters), with so much less congested traffic.
So, contrary to popular belief, I dont think that Jakarta is already that hopeless to be further developed for the better. I dont think that Jakarta should stop developing buildings for offices and apartments. I used to hate seeing skyscrappers being constructed in Jakarta. But now I realise that stopping the development is not the answer. Jakarta being the central of economy is only natural, we should stop hating Jakarta on that.
I do believe, though, it will be better if the governmental central is moved out of Jakarta (case: Washington, DC). The government then should find ways to develop other cities as well, and not focusing development only on Jakarta. Jakarta surely still needs more parks and better drainage system. For malls, yes we all hate the fact that malls are everywhere. It absorbs so many workers but it only gives chance for the upper class capitalists. What about giving more chance to UMKM? Malls should just stop, I guess. Last but not least, Jakarta most definitely needs a mass rapid transit system, both for the city and for commuting. (Transjakarta is not one. And it is still lacking quantitiy of buses, sterilized busways, and commuter feeder bus.)
