The Indonesian city of Jakarta was colonized by the Dutch. Early on, the Dutch brought their canals and segregated the population, providing direct running water mainly to Dutch residents. Over the decades and centuries, the city evolved with piped running water being very limited. This has led to a serious problem for the seaside city as it slowly sinks as aquifers are depleted. Rising sea levels are not helping matters. How do cities like this across the globe cope with this kind of challenge?
Stephen is a professional urban planner in Puget Sound with a passion for sustainable, livable, and diverse cities. He is especially interested in how policies, regulations, and programs can promote positive outcomes for communities. With stints in great cities like Bellingham and Cork, Stephen currently lives in Seattle. He primarily covers land use and transportation issues and has been with The Urbanist since 2014.