Friends of the Future seminar

Join us on February 18th for an engaging Friends of the Future seminar with Kei Otsuki, professor of International Development Studies at the Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning here at Utrecht University. Otsuki will share insights from ‘Following Frontiers of the Forest City

In this seminar. The research project evolves around the highly contested plan to relocate Indonesia’s national capital city from Jakarta to the forest highlands of eastern Kalimantan. Through an innovative ‘Forest City’ master plan, proponents argue that the relocation of the capital city decentralises development opportunities and alleviates Jakarta’s environmental problems. Critics contend, however, that the relocation leaves Jakarta’s problems unsolved, and the new city will negatively impact Kalimantan’s ecosystem and societies. Both arguments fail to address how the new Forest City might lead to sustainable and inclusive urbanisation.

Learn more about this project and register for this interactive seminar here: https://forms.uu.nl/universiteitutrecht-geo/friends-of-the-future-Kei-Otsuki