In the bustling heart of North Jakarta, a silent, creeping crisis is unfolding, one that threatens not just the city’s architectural heritage but also its economic future, particularly in the energy sector. A recent study led by R. Siti Rukayah from Universitas Diponegoro has brought this issue into sharp focus, revealing that the region could sink dramatically within the next 30 years.
The research, published in the *Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering* (known in English as the *Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering*), zeroes in on the Museum Bahari, a historic structure dating back to the early 18th century. By comparing old photographs and conducting detailed architectural modeling, Rukayah and her team discovered that the museum has sunk a staggering 255 centimeters (about 8.37 feet) below street level since 1939. That’s an average of 3 centimeters per year. If this trend continues, the museum—and much of North Jakarta—could sink another 90 centimeters by 2050.
“This finding strengthens the predictions theory that North Jakarta is projected to almost sink in the next 30 years or around 2050,” Rukayah said. The study not only confirms what geologists and civil engineers have long suspected but also provides critical field data to validate satellite-based land subsidence measurements.
For the energy sector, the implications are significant. North Jakarta is home to critical infrastructure, including power plants and energy distribution networks. Land subsidence can disrupt these systems, leading to costly repairs, service interruptions, and even safety hazards. “Efforts to preserve old buildings affected by land subsidence require design solutions so that the authenticity of the building is visible,” Rukayah noted, highlighting the need for innovative engineering solutions that can adapt to shifting ground conditions.
The study also underscores the urgency of addressing land subsidence as a broader urban challenge. As cities continue to expand and infrastructure ages, the risk of subsidence-related damage will only grow. For energy companies operating in North Jakarta, this means investing in resilient design and proactive monitoring to mitigate risks.
Rukayah’s research serves as a wake-up call, urging policymakers, urban planners, and industry leaders to take action before it’s too late. “This finding provides accurate field data to verify landslide measurements based on satellite imagery,” she said, emphasizing the importance of integrating multiple data sources to create a comprehensive understanding of the problem.
As North Jakarta faces the specter of sinking, the lessons from this study could shape future developments in urban planning, heritage preservation, and infrastructure resilience. For the energy sector, the message is clear: adapt or risk being left behind in a city that’s quite literally sinking beneath its feet.