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The evolution of Jakarta’s flood policy over the past 400 years: The lock-in of infrastructural solutions

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  • Thanti Octavianti
  • Katrina Charles

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of the evolution of flood policy in a city in the developing world. Jakarta was selected in order to analyse the role of colonialisation on water policy. Drawing data from historical sources and interviews of key informants, we mapped the history of flood-related investments made in the city for the past 400 years. Using analysis informed by historical institutionalism, we argue that Jakarta’s flood management institutions have been locked-in to infrastructural measures. Some major flood events were able to create critical junctures, resulting in the implementation of old policies and the instigation of flood research. However, they were not able to introduce institutional changes. The persistence of engineering-driven solutions to cope with flooding can be explained by the positive feedback mechanisms taking place after major floods. Infrastructure, albeit expensive, provides a fast relief to flooding, which is ideal to short political cycles. Scientific knowledge introduced by the colonial government plays an important role in sustaining this persistence. The current massive seawall proposal to alleviate increasing flood risks due to land subsidence and sea level rise exacerbates the path dependency of infrastructural measures.

Suggested Citation

  • Thanti Octavianti & Katrina Charles, 2019. "The evolution of Jakarta’s flood policy over the past 400 years: The lock-in of infrastructural solutions," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 37(6), pages 1102-1125, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:envirc:v:37:y:2019:i:6:p:1102-1125
    DOI: 10.1177/2399654418813578
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mulyana, Wahyu,, 2012. "Decent work in Jakarta an integrated approach," ILO Working Papers 994685213402676, International Labour Organization.
    2. repec:ilo:ilowps:165354 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. repec:ilo:ilowps:468521 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. James Porter & David Demeritt, 2012. "Flood-Risk Management, Mapping, and Planning: The Institutional Politics of Decision Support in England," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 44(10), pages 2359-2378, October.
    5. Hasanuddin Abidin & Heri Andreas & Irwan Gumilar & Yoichi Fukuda & Yusuf Pohan & T. Deguchi, 2011. "Land subsidence of Jakarta (Indonesia) and its relation with urban development," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 59(3), pages 1753-1771, December.
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