Invisible Waters in a Sinking City
Exploring Adaptive Strategies for Jakarta Amid Land Subsidence
M.F.M. Jacobs (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
A.M.R. van der Meij – Mentor (TU Delft - Theory, Territories & Transitions)
Nico Tillie – Mentor (TU Delft - Landscape Architecture)
R. Kuijlenburg – Mentor (TU Delft - Teachers of Practice / AE+T)
Daniela Maiullari – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Environmental Technology and Design)
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Abstract
This research investigates the ongoing land subsidence crisis in Jakarta, revealing it as not merely an environmental issue but a product of deep-rooted social, historical, and infrastructural inequalities. Drawing from theoretical frameworks of speculative urbanism, urban resilience, and environmental justice, the study traces the origins of Jakarta’s vulnerability to colonial water systems, unregulated urbanization, and inequitable access to piped water. Through a comprehensive literature review and case study analysis, the paper evaluates current and global strategies, highlighting both top-down interventions and community-led innovations. A key outcome of this research is the development of an architectural design proposal for a resilient coastal community in Muara Baru, integrating local knowledge, decentralized water systems, and nature-based solutions. The study argues that meaningful adaptation must be inclusive, context-sensitive, and grounded in lived experience. Jakarta’s future resilience depends not only on technical solutions but also on just governance and community empowerment.