Planning The Megacity

The book Planning the Megacity examines the transformation of Jakarta from a small colonial city into a sprawling megacity over the past century. The book looks at the role of local and national leaders in the control and manipulation of processes of growth, as well as the effects of colonialism, the struggle for independence, and aspirations for economic modernization on Jakarta's development. The book is highly recommended for anyone with a scholarly interest in the history of planning in Jakarta or Southeast Asia's largest metropolitan area.

Planning the Megacity examines the dramatic transformation of Jakarta over the past century. In 1900, the colonial capital of the Netherland Indies, then known as Batavia, was a compact city of approximately 150,000 inhabitants. During the next hundred years, but especially after 1950, it was transformed into the sprawling 'megacity' of more than 9 million in an urbanized region that boasted nearly 18 million by 2000. How this metamorphosis took place and what it meant for the life of Jakartans are questions central to the story of the city, as is the role of both local and national leaders in the control and manipulation of processes of growth. As Christopher Silver reveals, Jakarta's place as Indonesia's most prestigious city, and its capital city, subjected it to conflicting approaches to planning, and placed its development within the vortex of national development. He reveals how colonialism, the struggle for independence and for improving the national condition, together with aspirations for economic modernization, contributed to the distinctive character of Southeast Asia's largest metropolitan area. Review: 'I have no doubt that this carefully researched study contributes to the literature of international planning and planning history. Anyone with a scholarly interest in the history of planning in Jakarta should read this book; it can also serve as an excellent source of information in graduate and undergraduate courses that focus on international planning, particularly in the Southeast Asia region. It can also be a very useful reference for planners conducting projects in Jakarta. In sum, I fully agree with Silver that '[planning in Jakarta] is a history worth understanding and worth telling'. - Deden Rukmana, Journal of the American Planning Association 'A helpful book. It offers a comprehensive account that invites reflection on how planning has worked for power and how it could become a device for challenging this power in one of the world's largest cities.' - Abidin Kusno, CAA Reviews Planning the Megacity is an outstanding book, comprehensive in its treatment of its topic, rich in detail and insight and well-written in an accessible and lively style. It is highly recommended. - Stephen Hamnett, university of South Australia