On Feb. 23, the Collaborative Knowledge Network Indonesia (CKNet INA) organized an open network conference (ONC). The aim of the ONC was to review existing flood management practices and to introduce a more integrated concept of flood management, the Integrated Flood Management approach
During the conference, there were presentations on climate change and climate variability to identify the future challenges of drainage and flood management practices in Jakarta and other Indonesian cities.
For illustration purposes, there was a presentation on the Jakarta floods and recommendations were presented to the government. Previous large investments in drainage and flood protection and control infrastructure and various engineering solutions have not solved the flood problems in Indonesia.
The effectiveness of current drainage and flood management practices was questioned, considering the ever-increasing flood damage, despite many engineering solutions having been implemented.
This is not only a problem in Indonesia but also in many other countries. The challenge Indonesia faces is how best to improve existing, and/or introduce new, flood management and risk reduction policies and practices, so that they become integral aspects of existing strategies to achieve sustained development and social equity.
The need for a different approach was advocated in another presentation, where the concept of integrated flood management developed by the World Meteorological Organization in Geneva was introduced. Three other presentations were devoted to the flood studies made after the huge floods in the capital in 2007 by a consortium of Dutch consultancy firms devoted to non-structural flood measures. During one of the question and answer sessions, the history of the existing West Flood Canal and the planned-East Flood Canals in Jakarta was explained.
The original concept of these flood diversion canals was made in the early 1920s and the East Flood Canal (EFC) concept was reviewed in 1972 by NEDECO, Dutch engineering consultants. The EFC is currently under construction.
During the explanation it was mentioned that the situation in Jakarta now obviously differs from the situation in 1972. As with any engineering works, it is only rational that the present situation was taken into consideration in the decision-making process to construct the EFC.
In addition, decision-making processes have changed with time. Apart from the engineering considerations, economic, social and environmental considerations now play an important role in the process.
Obviously, these considerations have been taken into account by the relevant government institutions.
The presenters at the conference did not challenge any government decision related to the EFC. Apart from constructing the EFC, it was suggested to optimize the function and capacity of existing drainage infrastructure. The latter, including the dredging of canals may provide faster relief than waiting for the EFC to be fully operational.
In addition, guiding the civil society to better prepare for floods in order to reduce flood damage should be considered as another way to reduce it, which is the ultimate goal of any flood management effort.
Combinations of structural and non-structural flood mitigation measures have been suggested, as it has been shown to alleviate the effects of floods in a cost-effective way.
Jan T.L. Yap
Jakarta
