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Figure 13. The Government Core Area as a compact city model (source: Urbanplus, 2022) The Compact City and mixed developments

Figure 13 The Government Core Area as a compact city model (source: Urbanplus, 2022) The Compact City and mixed developments

Related Figures (13)

Figure 1. Location of the new Capital City of Nusantara (source: National Geographic Society). The new capital is sited in Kalimantan which 1s famous for its tropical rainforest ecosystem (Figure 1). Situated in the equatorial zone of the Indonesian archi pelago, Kalimantan has a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna, sensitive environments, and the finest and most extensive remaining dipterocarp forest in Southeast Asia (Haira 2017). Borneo has thousands of endemic tree species, but its soil is less fertile Java. Borneo is often called the lungs of Southeast Asia as it has the potential h et al., than in o store enormous amounts of carbon in its forests. For years, however, Borneo has suffered from rapid deforestation. The biodiversity level has been gradually degraded hrough excessive exploitation of the forests and their products beyond carrying capacities (Hairah et al., 2017). According to Gaveau et al. (2016), the conversion of natural forests to industrial plantations has been increasing. The concept of Nagara Rimba Nusa highlights this issue and the need to restore the environmental condition of the Nusantara site by trying to bring back the rainforest ecosystem.
Figure 1. Location of the new Capital City of Nusantara (source: National Geographic Society). The new capital is sited in Kalimantan which 1s famous for its tropical rainforest ecosystem (Figure 1). Situated in the equatorial zone of the Indonesian archi pelago, Kalimantan has a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna, sensitive environments, and the finest and most extensive remaining dipterocarp forest in Southeast Asia (Haira 2017). Borneo has thousands of endemic tree species, but its soil is less fertile Java. Borneo is often called the lungs of Southeast Asia as it has the potential h et al., than in o store enormous amounts of carbon in its forests. For years, however, Borneo has suffered from rapid deforestation. The biodiversity level has been gradually degraded hrough excessive exploitation of the forests and their products beyond carrying capacities (Hairah et al., 2017). According to Gaveau et al. (2016), the conversion of natural forests to industrial plantations has been increasing. The concept of Nagara Rimba Nusa highlights this issue and the need to restore the environmental condition of the Nusantara site by trying to bring back the rainforest ecosystem.
Figure 2. The view of Borneo’s rainforest from Bangkirai Hill (source: Diana Zerlina, 2021) This article highlights these issues by examining how the heritage of Indonesian urban forms and architecture can be incorporated, and bring a new direction into future urban developments. It first expounds the thinking behind the concept of Nagara Rimba Nusa in making the forest and Indonesian culture fundamental elements in the design. It then elaborates how these concepts were translated into a distinctive and unique design approach rooted in Indonesia’s natural environment and cultural heritage, but which also looks forward to the future by adopting smart technology to enhance the city’s performance. The design of the new capital presents an opportunity to build a new and distinct form of sustainable and smart city that features a high degree of local context along with urban forms for the future.
Figure 2. The view of Borneo’s rainforest from Bangkirai Hill (source: Diana Zerlina, 2021) This article highlights these issues by examining how the heritage of Indonesian urban forms and architecture can be incorporated, and bring a new direction into future urban developments. It first expounds the thinking behind the concept of Nagara Rimba Nusa in making the forest and Indonesian culture fundamental elements in the design. It then elaborates how these concepts were translated into a distinctive and unique design approach rooted in Indonesia’s natural environment and cultural heritage, but which also looks forward to the future by adopting smart technology to enhance the city’s performance. The design of the new capital presents an opportunity to build a new and distinct form of sustainable and smart city that features a high degree of local context along with urban forms for the future.
Figure 3. The rolling hills of the Government Core Area covered with plantations (source: Diana Zerlina, 2021) forest on limestone and ultrabasic soils, hill dipterocarp forest and various montane formations. In the coastal areas, there is beach vegetation, sea grass beds and coral reefs (MacKinnon et al., 1996). In the forests, trees towering over twenty meters tall create a canopy frameworks that shelters many smaller trees (Figure 2). than other parts of the island. Kalimantan has several regions with a distinct soi condition, altitude, topography, geology, climate and vegetation. Most of Kalimantar is an area of rolling plains dissected by hills above sedimentary and old igneous rocks The rocks are poor in metal elements and generally less fertile than the volcanic soils in Java (MacKinnon et al., 1996; Burnham 1984). The high rainfall leaches away the soil’s soluble constituents. These rolling plains require extensive land improvement fot development as a built environment. This is a high consideration in the development o1 the Capital City of Nusantara. 1, 7 rf 4
Figure 3. The rolling hills of the Government Core Area covered with plantations (source: Diana Zerlina, 2021) forest on limestone and ultrabasic soils, hill dipterocarp forest and various montane formations. In the coastal areas, there is beach vegetation, sea grass beds and coral reefs (MacKinnon et al., 1996). In the forests, trees towering over twenty meters tall create a canopy frameworks that shelters many smaller trees (Figure 2). than other parts of the island. Kalimantan has several regions with a distinct soi condition, altitude, topography, geology, climate and vegetation. Most of Kalimantar is an area of rolling plains dissected by hills above sedimentary and old igneous rocks The rocks are poor in metal elements and generally less fertile than the volcanic soils in Java (MacKinnon et al., 1996; Burnham 1984). The high rainfall leaches away the soil’s soluble constituents. These rolling plains require extensive land improvement fot development as a built environment. This is a high consideration in the development o1 the Capital City of Nusantara. 1, 7 rf 4
Figure 4. Cosmological principles and settlements in the cosmopolitan 13th-century city of Majapahit (source: Mitu M. Prie, 2021) According to Hans-Dieter Evers, the term Nusantara was taken from two Sanskrit words: “nusa” meaning island and “antara” means in-between or including. Evers cited Benhard Vlekke (1961) who argued that the original meaning of Nusantara was “the other island” or “the outside world” as seen from Java or Bali, and became applied to mean the whole archipelago (Evers, 2016). In the anti-colonial struggle, the term Nusantara was used by Indonesia’s first president, Soekarno, to mean “Greate1 Indonesia” (Indonesia Raya).
Figure 4. Cosmological principles and settlements in the cosmopolitan 13th-century city of Majapahit (source: Mitu M. Prie, 2021) According to Hans-Dieter Evers, the term Nusantara was taken from two Sanskrit words: “nusa” meaning island and “antara” means in-between or including. Evers cited Benhard Vlekke (1961) who argued that the original meaning of Nusantara was “the other island” or “the outside world” as seen from Java or Bali, and became applied to mean the whole archipelago (Evers, 2016). In the anti-colonial struggle, the term Nusantara was used by Indonesia’s first president, Soekarno, to mean “Greate1 Indonesia” (Indonesia Raya).
Figure 5. Indonesian traditional houses built on stilts (source: Indonesia Tourist Forum, 2014; Portal Informasi Indonesia. 2019; Beranda, 2023; Kikimunai, 2020) were built on stilts or pilotis to suit the natural surroundings (Figure 5). The structure allowed water to flow at ground level, made space for vegetation and wildlife to flourish, and minimized the building’s footprint. This form of construction is also proven to be more resilient during disasters, such as earthquake and flooding. For instance, most of the structures that survived an earthquake of 6.5 on the Richter scale in Padang in 2009 were old stilt houses.
Figure 5. Indonesian traditional houses built on stilts (source: Indonesia Tourist Forum, 2014; Portal Informasi Indonesia. 2019; Beranda, 2023; Kikimunai, 2020) were built on stilts or pilotis to suit the natural surroundings (Figure 5). The structure allowed water to flow at ground level, made space for vegetation and wildlife to flourish, and minimized the building’s footprint. This form of construction is also proven to be more resilient during disasters, such as earthquake and flooding. For instance, most of the structures that survived an earthquake of 6.5 on the Richter scale in Padang in 2009 were old stilt houses.
Figure 6. The Government Core Area as a polycentric city, inspired by the Indonesian archipelago (source: Urbanplus. 2021) As directed by President Jokowi from the very beginning, the development of the new capital of Nusantara must embrace and represents the identity of Indonesia. The design of the Government Core Area emphasizes the spirit of Nusantara. The concept of Nagara Rimba Nusa guided several aspects of the design process. In accordance with Vlekke (1961), the meaning of Nusantara as the Indonesian archipelago is implemented as a polycentric city in the new capital (Figure 6). There are several compact activity centers, each with a distinct main function, that are analogous to islands linked to one another through green corridors of existing nature that resemble the ocean. The macro and micro cosmology of Nusantara is implemented through an axis or backbone that represents the relation between the Creator, humanity, and nature. In addition, biophilic and biomimicry designs in all the building developments reflect the concept of Nusantara architecture and its respect for existing nature. The new capital is also conceived as a green and sustainable city which respects the valuable forest ecology of the site.
Figure 6. The Government Core Area as a polycentric city, inspired by the Indonesian archipelago (source: Urbanplus. 2021) As directed by President Jokowi from the very beginning, the development of the new capital of Nusantara must embrace and represents the identity of Indonesia. The design of the Government Core Area emphasizes the spirit of Nusantara. The concept of Nagara Rimba Nusa guided several aspects of the design process. In accordance with Vlekke (1961), the meaning of Nusantara as the Indonesian archipelago is implemented as a polycentric city in the new capital (Figure 6). There are several compact activity centers, each with a distinct main function, that are analogous to islands linked to one another through green corridors of existing nature that resemble the ocean. The macro and micro cosmology of Nusantara is implemented through an axis or backbone that represents the relation between the Creator, humanity, and nature. In addition, biophilic and biomimicry designs in all the building developments reflect the concept of Nusantara architecture and its respect for existing nature. The new capital is also conceived as a green and sustainable city which respects the valuable forest ecology of the site.
Figure 7. Land forming process at the Government Core Area site (source: Urbanplus, 2021)
Figure 7. Land forming process at the Government Core Area site (source: Urbanplus, 2021)
Figure 8. The cosmological principle of Indonesian cities’ urban space (source: Mitu M.Prie, Urbanplus, 2021) The axis cosmology
Figure 8. The cosmological principle of Indonesian cities’ urban space (source: Mitu M.Prie, Urbanplus, 2021) The axis cosmology
Figure 9. The principle of Sumbu Kebangsaan (Nationality Axis) in the Government Core Area (source: Urbanplus, 2022)
Figure 9. The principle of Sumbu Kebangsaan (Nationality Axis) in the Government Core Area (source: Urbanplus, 2022)
Figures 10, 11. (above) Plaza Seremoni, (below) Plaza Sipil (source: Urbanplus, 2022)
Figures 10, 11. (above) Plaza Seremoni, (below) Plaza Sipil (source: Urbanplus, 2022)
Figure 12. Biomimicry approach at the Government Core Area (source: Urbanplus, 2020)
Figure 12. Biomimicry approach at the Government Core Area (source: Urbanplus, 2020)
Figure 14. Second level pedestrian connections at the West Residential precinct of Government Core Area (source: PT. Mataram Surya Cipta, Indonesia Ministry of Public Works and Housing, 2021)
Figure 14. Second level pedestrian connections at the West Residential precinct of Government Core Area (source: PT. Mataram Surya Cipta, Indonesia Ministry of Public Works and Housing, 2021)
Figure 15. Overview of the plan for the Government Core area (source: Urbanplus, 2022) ii “eae” iieeieaais In Indonesian city planning, a distance of 350-400 meters is typically used as the benchmark for a 5-minute walk, and 750-800 meters for a 10-minute walk. However, this standard refers to a flat surface, while the rolling topography of the site of the Government Core Area has an average slope up to 20 percent, so the distance was reduced to 440 meters for a 10-minute walk and 220 meters for a 5-minute walk.
Figure 15. Overview of the plan for the Government Core area (source: Urbanplus, 2022) ii “eae” iieeieaais In Indonesian city planning, a distance of 350-400 meters is typically used as the benchmark for a 5-minute walk, and 750-800 meters for a 10-minute walk. However, this standard refers to a flat surface, while the rolling topography of the site of the Government Core Area has an average slope up to 20 percent, so the distance was reduced to 440 meters for a 10-minute walk and 220 meters for a 5-minute walk.
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