WRI Indonesia’s Cities4Forests initiative supported Jakarta in improving equal access to green space and building urban climate resilience by establishing 54 new urban parks.
The Challenge
As Jakarta, Indonesia’s industrial activity and vehicle use have increased, so, too, has its air pollution. The city also struggles with extreme heat and flooding.
Jakarta’s lack of greenery only intensifies these challenges. Urban trees can help clean air, sequester greenhouse gases and prevent erosion, while green space can absorb rainwater and provide pleasant areas for recreation. Yet until recently, many neighborhoods throughout the city lacked parks and trees.
WRI’s Role
WRI Indonesia collaborated with Jakarta’s government to protect urban trees and create new parks and green spaces.
Through WRI’s Cities4Forests initiative, WRI experts worked closely with government officials to create two new regulations on tree management and park provision and maintenance. Since the regulations were finalized, WRI has provided research, data and technical assistance to aid in their implementation.
For example, WRI analyzed Jakarta’s existing green spaces and identified underserved areas to be prioritized for park development. Experts held trainings with Jakarta’s Park and Urban Trees Agency on how to conduct tree inventories. And WRI staff launched communications campaigns to help Jakarta’s citizens understand the benefits of urban trees and green spaces.
The Outcome
In 2021, the Jakarta government issued regulations on management and protection of trees, as well as the provision and utilization of parks. These regulations are designed to ensure more equal distribution of green spaces and effective tree-planting. Jakarta has subsequently established 54 new parks since 2022 and planted more than 65,000 urban trees.
Many new parks are located in areas previously lacking green space. According to the regulation, the parks should be designed to meet the needs of all kinds of users, including children, the elderly and individuals with disabilities. In addition to providing pleasant spaces to play and relax, the new trees and green spaces can help cool and clean the air, mitigate flooding and curb climate change.
Since then, Indonesia’s South Sulawesi local government has drafted a similar regulation on tree protection and management, showcasing the potential for Jakarta’s approach to be applied in other cities.
