Experiencing Urban Seafront Living: Jakarta and Bremen Tackle Climate Challenges Head-On

Climate change is a hot topic these days. We hear about it in the news, schools, and political speeches. But it often doesn’t hit home until it affects us directly.

Christian von Wissel, a professor at the City University of Applied Sciences in Bremen, explains, “People generally don’t think about climate change until it impacts their lives.”

Bremen sits in the low-lying Wesermarsch region and has invested in flood defenses like dikes and better city planning. However, in winter 2023, storms and heavy rain overwhelmed these defenses, leading to serious flooding. This event disrupted transportation and damaged buildings, raising public concern.

In response, Bremen plans to raise its dikes by 2 meters. To complement this, the Bremen Center for Building Culture, where Von Wissel works, is organizing an exhibition. This aims to foster international discussions on climate challenges and explore other solutions.

Von Wissel believes Jakarta, a city facing extreme threats from rising sea levels and land sinking, provides lessons for Bremen. He says, “Jakarta is a prime example of a sinking city. I’m interested in how people adapt in their daily lives.”

An open call for photographs resulted in 47 works by 15 Indonesian and 2 German photographers. Their pictures show life at the water’s edge, highlighting the impact of tidal floods, erosion, and subsidence.

Recent statistics show that Jakarta is sinking by up to 10 inches a year in some areas, making it a prominent case in the climate change narrative. According to a 2022 study, about 70% of urban areas in Indonesia are at risk of flooding due to climate change and poor city planning.

The exhibition not only showcases artistic expressions but also sparks conversations about climate resilience—an urgent need in urban areas worldwide. Social media trends reveal growing interest in sustainable living and climate activism, especially among younger generations, who are increasingly aware of these issues.

By sharing stories and experiences from cities like Bremen and Jakarta, we can better understand our shared challenges and the importance of adaptive solutions in the face of climate change.



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