Flood-friendly homes: How Jakartans are making peace with rain
JAKARTA – Jakarta continues to grapple with persistent flooding, a challenge highlighted by severe rainfall in early 2026 that displaced at least 1,600 people as of January 22nd. While large-scale infrastructure projects like Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s planned sea wall – set to begin construction in September and encompass Java’s northern coast – are being considered, many residents are proactively adapting their homes to live with the rising waters.
Innovative Home Designs
Documentary film-maker Aditya Megantara, 40, a lifelong resident of flood-prone Pondok Bambu in East Jakarta, sought a solution to the recurring flooding of his home. Inspired by an “anti-flood” house featured in a documentary he was working on in 2020, Mr. Aditya engaged the same architect to design a home that would mitigate flood damage.
A New Approach to Flood Mitigation
Rather than simply elevating the structure, Mr. Aditya’s home incorporates a 1.5-meter space beneath the floor, allowing water to flow through and be reabsorbed into the soil. Completed in 2023, the design has proven effective, even during recent flooding on the street outside the property. Mr. Aditya has also noted an added benefit: a drier, less damp interior, leading to fewer colds.
Architect Yu Sing, founder of Akanoma, explained that the design aims to address flooding without simply displacing the problem onto neighboring areas – a common consequence of raising land levels in Jakarta. He believes that a wider adoption of this approach could create more space for water infiltration.
The “Sponge City” Concept
Assistant Professor Herlily of the University of Indonesia suggests that homes like Mr. Aditya’s should be part of a broader strategy to transform Jakarta into a “sponge city,” designed to better absorb heavy rainfall. However, she acknowledges that financial constraints prevent many residents from adopting such solutions, with some resorting to raising existing floor levels or adding second stories to protect valuables.
Ms. Kurniasari, 52, a resident of South Jakarta’s Warung Buncit neighborhood, has experienced a worsening of flooding over the years – from once every five years to almost every time it rains heavily. She raised her floor by 100cm a decade ago after a near-electrocution incident, but notes that neighbours have followed suit, effectively leveling the playing field.
Professor Herlily suggests the Jakarta administration should lead by example, adapting its own buildings to function as catchment areas, though current efforts have focused on river widening and dredging. Mr. Aditya believes a shift in perspective is crucial, stating that if Jakarta views water as an integral part of its environment, residents can “welcome it, and we’ll even be happy when it comes.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a “rumah panggung”?
A “rumah panggung” is a traditional Indonesian stilt house, once common in coastal areas, with the floor raised above the ground.
What is the “sponge city” concept?
The “sponge city” concept refers to urban planning that aims to create cities designed to better absorb and retain rainwater, reducing flooding.
What is the status of the sea wall project?
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s giant sea wall project is planned to begin construction in September and will encompass the whole northern coast of the island of Java.
As Jakarta continues to face the challenges of rising floodwaters, will a combination of large-scale infrastructure projects and innovative, individual solutions prove to be the most effective path forward?