Jakarta, Indonesia’s economic and political hub, is now one of the biggest cities on earth. Recent statistics estimate that Jakarta’s population has reached 9.6 million (with a growth rate of 1.4 per cent per year) — placing it among the top 10 most populous cities in the world — while the Greater Jakarta Metropolitan Area is home to 27.9 million people (with a growth rate of 3.6 per cent per year). Jakarta’s population density is around 14,500 inhabitants per square kilometre, making it the 17th most densely populated city in a study of 125 metropolises around the world.

Jakarta’s accelerating population growth is largely due to its significant economic growth. Economic growth in Jakarta reached 16.5 per cent last year, the biggest increase in Indonesia. Despite this, Jakarta still falls behind other big cities around the world when it comes to personal earnings and purchasing power. A report released last year by UBS reveals that Jakarta ranks lowest (last out of the 73 cities assessed) for domestic purchasing power, even compared to Manila, Nairobi and Mumbai. It does, however, rank slightly higher than these three cities (placing at number 70) when gross wage levels are compared.

On the iPod index — a calculation of how long employees in each city would have to work to afford an iPod nano — Jakarta ranked 65 in 2009, lower than Bangkok, and much lower than Zurich or New York, but higher than Delhi, Manila and Mumbai. This means that an average wage earner in Zurich and New York can buy an iPod nano after nine hours of work. Workers in Jakarta need to work 93 hours to purchase the same gadget.

Regardless, Jakarta is still very economically attractive to millions of people. But this tremendous economic boost, combined with decades of poor land use and urban management, has also brought about unwanted consequences.

Jakarta is well known for its seasonal but intense flooding. Flooding in 2007 affected 80 sub-districts, causing traffic chaos and paralysing the city. The Indonesian government estimates that losses amounted to Rp 4.1 trillion (US$450 million). Every year the city government promises to undertake action to prevent major floods from inundating the capital, and last year it allocated Rp 1.36 trillion (US$150 million) to support such actions. But with only 9.79 per cent green space in 2010, continuous overdevelopment inside catchment areas, and rivers that cannot discharge water into the sea because they are clogged with waste, the city has little capacity to absorb a high level of rainfall and prevent flooding.

Another daily headache for Jakartans is the continuous horror of its traffic. A 2011 study released by the Jakarta Transportation Agency estimated that traffic congestion costs the city up to Rp 46 trillion (US$5 billion) a year. Another figure from the Transportation Ministry claims that congestion costs Rp 28.1 trillion each year, accounting for wasted fuel, productivity lost and traffic-induced health problems. The city administration has repeatedly promised to address these issues, for follow-through to happen.

With the upcoming election of their governor, Jakartans now have a great chance to demand more effective action. They must push the candidates to not only promise a better Jakarta, but also to come up with ambitious and clear action plans to improve the city.

Jakarta’s citizens should ask their government — and the future government — to learn from the success of cities in other developing countries. As part of the commitment by their political leaders to improve the living conditions of their citizens, Mexico City, Bangkok and Rio de Janeiro, for instance, have gradually changed their images by establishing environmental policies and programs, developing innovative and creative modes of public transportation, and instituting a high degree of public participation and engagement in environment-related issues.

Now is the time for Jakartans to voice their concerns by ensuring they elect the right candidate for the position of governor. Being apathetic is not an option, since the immediate and possibly the long-term fate of Jakarta will be decided in this upcoming election.

Fitrian Ardiansyah is a doctoral candidate at the Australian National University, and the recipient of the Australian Leadership Award and Allison Sudradjat Award.

 A version of this article was first published here in the Jakarta Post.