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MakassarMakassar
+2+2
Makassar should be more like Singapore before being like Dubai
Jul 02, 2025

Makassar should be more like Singapore before being like Dubai

Makassar Trip Report: Makassar is the largest city in Eastern Indonesia. It's building a Dubai-inspired new urban area on artificial islands, but it should look to Singapore's example for fixing the city sidewalks first.

James Clark
James Clark
Urban PlanningUrban Planning
+1+1
Why are there no great coastal cities in Indonesia?
Jun 25, 2025

Why are there no great coastal cities in Indonesia?

Indonesia comprises over 17,000 islands and has a population of over 280 million people. With so many islands and so many people, why are there no great coastal cities that are famous destinations?

James Clark
James Clark
MakassarMakassar
+2+2
Bad Urban Design: Center Point of Indonesia, a missed opportunity to put Makassar on the map
Sep 16, 2024

Bad Urban Design: Center Point of Indonesia, a missed opportunity to put Makassar on the map

Center Point of Indonesia is a megaproject being built off the coast of Makassar. City planners had an opportunity to make an iconic global city. Instead, they have opted for suburbia in the sea. They are making the same urban planning mistakes that are being made in every other Indonesian city.

James Clark
James Clark
JakartaJakarta
+2+2
Jakarta transit report (2023 edition)
Sep 12, 2023
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Jakarta transit report (2023 edition)

Reviewing the urban railways of Jakarta, and other transport observations.

James Clark
James Clark
Trip ReportsTrip Reports
+2+2
Trip Report: Jakarta construction update
Aug 29, 2023
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Trip Report: Jakarta construction update

Part 1: A summary of the big construction projects in the city that, contrary to media reports, is not being abandoned

James Clark
James Clark
MedanMedan
+2+2
Trip Report: Medan
Aug 08, 2023
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Trip Report: Medan

An airport train. the massive main square redevelopment, Jakarta-style Superblocks arrive, and the rejuvenation of the old city area that could put Medan on the tourist map.

James Clark
James Clark
AviationAviation
+1+1
Air travel in Sumatra
May 08, 2023
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Air travel in Sumatra

Sumatra's lack of intraisland flights, connections to Jakarta and Southeast Asia, and how future railways could replace air travel in Sumatra.

James Clark
James Clark
IndonesiaIndonesia
+2+2
What would Bali look like if it had a metro system
Nov 21, 2022

What would Bali look like if it had a metro system

A concept map of a Bali railway system, including an island circle line, a high-speed railway to Java, and an urban rail transit system in South Bali.

James Clark
James Clark
BatamBatam
+2+2
Batam construction update: The Indonesian island on the other side of the Singapore Strait
Aug 14, 2022

Batam construction update: The Indonesian island on the other side of the Singapore Strait

Construction report for major projects in Batam as of August 2022.

James Clark
James Clark
Transport and urban development in Southeast Asia.

Future Southeast Asia

Transport and urban development in Southeast Asia.

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