JAKARTA: Born and raised in Jakarta, Handini Mawar Putri has grown up witnessing the Indonesian capital’s transformation over the last two decades, from the rise of new skyscrapers and the massive changes to public transport, to the comings and goings of its political leaders.
The 22-year-old is one of nearly 42 million people residing in the megacity, a number that makes it the most populated city in the world according to the UN’s World Urbanization Prospects 2025 report, published earlier this month.
But as Jakarta toppled Tokyo as the world’s most populous city, many residents harbor growing concerns over the future of the megapolitan area.
“Congested. Complicated. Chaotic. I don’t know what other words can be used to describe this city. Behind its luxuries, Jakarta also holds many miseries that are rarely highlighted and barely taken seriously,” Putri told Arab News.
For years, Jakarta has made international headlines for its poor air quality, notorious traffic jams and regular flooding that have repeatedly brought life to a standstill across the capital.
