MANGROVE CITY

merit award submission entry for urban architectural idea competition

in association with PO WORKSHOP
2017, FUTURARC PRIZE PROFESSIONAL CATEGORY

Mangrove City: Future of Muara Angke Fishermen Village, Jakarta

http://poworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/MANGROVE-CITY-RESEARCH.pdf

The proposal addresses Jakarta’s dual threat of land subsidence and sea level rise not with conventional defensive strategies or relocation, but by working symbiotically with nature. Central to the design is the use of mangroves for stabilising soil and promoting sedimentation, combined with floating platforms that rise and fall with sea levels. Beginning with a single mangrove, a modular timber platform is built around it, expanding into multi-level structures connected by elevated boardwalks. These walkways, canals, and platforms form a new pedestrian and water-based urban layer above the inundated ground.
The design embraces traditional Indonesian fishing village architecture and the communal spirit of gotong-royong, using low-cost, locally sourced timber construction methods. Key components—floating hubs, modular units, pavilions, and decking—allow for organic urban growth guided by the placement of mangrove trees.

This approach reimagines the city as “Mangrove City,” evolving over 50 years into a self-sustaining urban center focused on the fishing industry, mangrove restoration, and climate research. Rather than retreating from environmental threats, the city adapts and thrives alongside them. The vision restores cultural identity while positioning Jakarta as a future international hub for sustainable coastal living and climate resilience.