Rosa Panggabean

This ongoing project delves into the imagination of a new landscape spurred by infrastructure development across various regions in Indonesia. My exploration spans three distinct locales: Jayapura in Papua, Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara, and the new capital city IKN (Ibu Kota Nusantara) or Nusantara Capital City in East Kalimantan. 

In Jayapura, Papua, the construction of new road infrastructure intersects with the revered tradition of the women's forest, known as Tonotwiyat among indigenous communities. This mangrove forest, located in the village of Enggros and Tobati, Jayapura, Papua, lies adjacent to Youtefa Bay near the Papuan capital, Jayapura. As development surges, particularly in the densely Abepura vicinity, the future of this forest hangs in the balance. 

In Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, the development of the island is undergoing a transformation into a new tourism hub akin to Bali, with significant infrastructure development geared towards bolstering the industry. However, this surge in development has raised concerns about its impact on the local community and the conservation of the area’s iconic Komodo as an endemic animal. Moreover, the tourism industry’s emphasis on attracting investors often sideliries local involvement and community interests. 

Amidst Jakarta’s imminent sinking conundrum, the proposal to relocate the capital city to a new area in East Kalimantan, known as Penajam, emerges as a potential solution to the city’s multifaceted challenges. However, the mega-development initiative in Penajam also carries profound implications for both its residents and the surrounding environment. 

Through my exploration of these three areas, and with further locales yet to be explored, I aim to chronicle the societal transformations precipitated by the emergence of new landscapes. This story seeks to offer a nuanced perspectives on development objectives and the often disparate impacts of such endeavours on local communities and the natural world.