Policymaking and the spatial characteristics of land subsidence in North Jakarta

The narrative of “Jakarta is sinking!” has grown louder following the seasonal flood events over the past few years. What makes the case interesting is that the actual shape of land subsidence is growing fastest at around 20 cm per year in the northwest area, which is dominated by housing and settlements rather than commercial buildings and industries. This study aims to provide an academic explanation of the land subsidence phenomenon from the perspective of historical institutionalism. Applying spatial analysis and documentary reviews, we discussed the relationship between policy directions and land subsidence forms over decades. This paper found that spatial policy which have been pushed the urbanization in north Jakarta has contributed a more significant impact on land subsidence. The inability of government policy to address groundwater utilization both from the settlements and industries with the provisioning of access to safe water, emerged as one of the most significant factors triggering land subsidence.