Why Indonesia’s New Capital May Become One of the World’s Most Comfortable Cities to Live In

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 06:24:16 +0000

⁣Why Indonesia’s New Capital May Become One of the World’s Most Comfortable Cities to Live In

By Jamie McIntyre - Australian National Review

After spending several days visiting Indonesia’s remarkable new capital, Nusantara, one thing became immediately obvious.

This city feels different.

Unlike many tropical cities that can become hot, humid and congested, Nusantara has an incredibly fresh feel. During my visit in what is currently the drier season, daytime temperatures were warm but

comfortable, while the evenings were surprisingly pleasant, helped by a constant breeze flowing through the surrounding forests.

It prompted me to ask a simple question.

If it’s this comfortable now, what will it be like during the hottest part of the year?

The answer may surprise many people.

Because Nusantara sits close to the equator, it doesn’t experience the dramatic seasonal temperature swings Australians are familiar with. Instead, temperatures remain remarkably stable throughout the

year, generally ranging between 30 and 34 degrees during the day and around 22 to 25 degrees overnight. The wet season brings more rain rather than significantly higher temperatures.

While there will naturally be hotter days that occasionally reach the mid-30s, the city’s location, extensive forest cover and proximity to the coast help generate natural airflow that reduces the oppressive

heat often experienced in large inland cities.

What impressed me even more was the air quality.

Coming from cities where traffic congestion, industrial pollution and urban sprawl dominate the skyline, Nusantara feels like breathing in fresh rainforest air.

That isn’t accidental.

Indonesia has deliberately designed Nusantara as a “Forest City”, preserving vast areas of natural vegetation while integrating urban development into the surrounding landscape rather than replacing it.

Wide boulevards, thousands of trees, electric public transport and the absence of heavy industry nearby all contribute to what could become one of the cleanest capital cities in Asia.

Of course, like much of Indonesia, there remains the occasional risk of regional haze during severe forest fire seasons elsewhere in the archipelago. However, under normal conditions, Nusantara enjoys

significant natural advantages over many of Asia’s major metropolitan areas.

Scientists also believe that although all growing cities eventually create some urban heat, Nusantara’s extensive green planning should significantly reduce the “urban heat island” effect compared with

conventional cities dominated by concrete and asphalt.

Walking around Nusantara today, it already feels more like a modern eco-city than a traditional capital.

Wide landscaped streets.

Beautiful architecture.

Open green spaces.

Clean air.

Minimal traffic.

It’s a striking contrast to many of the world’s older capital cities that are now struggling with congestion, pollution and overcrowding.

As Indonesia continues developing Nusantara over the coming decades, the country has a rare opportunity to build not simply another capital city, but one of the healthiest, greenest and most liveable urban

environments on the planet.

If the current vision is maintained, future generations may well look at Nusantara as the blueprint for how new cities should be built in the 21st century.

Having now experienced it firsthand, I believe the greatest surprise isn’t the futuristic buildings.

It’s how comfortable the city already feels.

Source: https://x.com/jamiemcintyre21/....status/2070657401817