Indonesia's Sinking Prevention 'Daebangjoje'... Completed with Korea's Saemangeum Technology

Installation of Daebangjoje on North Coast of Jakarta
Korea to Promote Cooperative Project with Indonesia and Netherlands
Korea Rural Community Corporation Responsible for Basic Design
Additional Benefits Expected through Reclamation Development

Java Island, where Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, is located, is sinking every year. Due to inadequate water supply and sewage facilities, residents heavily rely on groundwater, and because of the sedimentary terrain, ground subsidence is progressing rapidly. Climate change has also caused sea level rise, resulting in seawater intrusion.

This is why the Indonesian government is actively pursuing various projects, such as constructing large coastal dikes and building multipurpose dams on rivers, to prevent land subsidence. At the center of these projects is Korean technology.

A bird's-eye view of the Jakarta Metropolitan Coastal Integrated Development Project (NCICD) in Indonesia. Korea Rural Community Corporation was responsible for the design of the Daebang Embankment. Provided by Korea Rural Community Corporation

The Indonesian government has been promoting the 'Jakarta Metropolitan Coastal Integrated Development Project (NCICD)' in recent years to build a large coastal dike along the northern coast of Jakarta, and in 2016, the Korea Rural Community Corporation was entrusted with the feasibility study and basic design of the offshore dike (21 km).

Although the Indonesian government initially planned the project with the Netherlands, the Korea Rural Community Corporation actively promoted the project leveraging Korea’s extensive experience with the Saemangeum project, resulting in a trilateral cooperation project.

On the 26th of last month, at Pluit Village on the northern coast of Jakarta where the large coastal dike will be constructed, the necessity of the project was strongly felt. Along the coast, a dike over 1 meter high was installed along a long road. The dike was originally lower but showed many signs of being reinforced multiple times. Beyond the dike, the seawater was surging as if it was about to overflow.

A photo taken on the 26th of last month showing the area of a coastal village in North Jakarta where the Daebang embankment will be constructed. A long dyke is installed along the coastal road. Photo by Kim Pyeonghwa

Nam Hoseong, head of the Global Business Division at the Korea Rural Community Corporation, who accompanied the press corps visiting the site that day, said, "Five years ago, it was possible to cross to the other side beyond the dike," and added, "Every time I come here, I feel the water level rising rapidly."

The large coastal dike is planned to stretch 33 km in length and 20 meters in height along the coast. The currently estimated project cost reaches 20 trillion won. Additional urban development is expected to take place on the reclaimed land created by constructing the dike.

Although the official project start date has not yet been confirmed, there are concerns, but the Korea Rural Community Corporation explains that the local development will is considerable. Recently, the local community has described the large coastal dike project as a "40-year survival issue for the nation." The newly inaugurated Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who took office last October, is also showing interest in the project, which is a hopeful sign.

A dike installed along the northern coast of Jakarta where the Daebang tidal gate will be built. The side of the dike is divided into several layers according to the material and color, showing traces of multiple layers of dike height built up to prevent seawater from overflowing. Photo by Kim Pyeonghwa

Moreover, it is projected that by 2030, 90% of northern Jakarta’s area (12,500 hectares) will be below sea level. This is the background for the Indonesian government’s plan to expand the project area along the northern coast of Java Island and build a large coastal dike. In this case, the project cost is expected to increase to about 100 trillion won.

Currently, a report containing the basic design of the large coastal dike has been submitted to the Indonesian president, and if the project proceeds in earnest, not only the Korea Rural Community Corporation but also Korean private companies are expected to participate in the reclamation development business and increase their revenue sources.

Mr. Nam explained, "Once the project is promoted, many Korean conglomerates and the corporation will enter and profit from the project." He also added, "From Indonesia’s perspective, installing the large coastal dike and developing the reclaimed land will help alleviate traffic congestion and disperse the population."