Jakarta, a smart city that continues to evolve on a global scale, is preparing to commemorate its 500th anniversary in 2027. This milestone serves as an important moment to reflect on the city’s achievements, address its challenges, and set ambitious aspirations for its future. With a vision of becoming a “global megalopolis” while remaining deeply rooted in its “Indonesian identity,” the Provincial Government of Jakarta has launched a transformative campaign that engages all segments of society, aiming to position the city among the Top 20 Global Cities by the time it reaches this historic milestone.

The “Jakarta 500” Campaign and Three Phases of Transformation

As part of the preparations for this grand celebration, the Provincial Government of Jakarta has introduced the “Jakarta 500” campaign. This initiative, which began in early 2025 and will run until June 2027, invites the people of Jakarta to contribute to building Jakarta as a top 20 global city that is inclusive, modern, and sustainable.

The campaign is structured into three distinct phases of transformation:

Phase One (2025): The Identity of the Nation – The Economic Pulse of Indonesia and Asia
This phase emphasizes Jakarta’s role as the economic heart of the nation and a significant contributor to the economic development of the Asian region.

Phase Two (2026): The Indonesian Identity – A Global Megalopolis
During this phase, Jakarta will be positioned as a globally competitive city, capable of excelling internationally.

Phase Three (2027): The Cultural Epicenter of Indonesia and the Global Economy
By its 500th anniversary, Jakarta is envisioned to become both the cultural epicenter of Indonesia and one of the key economic hubs of the world.

A Celebration of Five Centuries of Jakarta

To commemorate this momentous occasion, Jakarta will host a diverse range of events that engage all layers of society. Art and cultural festivals will serve as platforms to showcase the city’s rich heritage, while strategic discussions and seminars will explore forward-thinking strategies for building a more advanced city. Environmental initiatives, including urban greening and city-wide cleanup campaigns, will demonstrate Jakarta’s commitment to sustainability.

Community empowerment programs are being designed to encourage active participation from women, youth, and marginalized groups. Meanwhile, sports activities, ranging from marathons to traditional competitions, will strengthen the sense of unity and solidarity among Jakarta’s residents.

In addition, Jakarta residents can enjoy more than 99 exciting events spread across various locations, such as amusement attractions at the Jakarta Fair (PRJ), cultural exploration at Pantjoran Chinatown, and thrilling futsal matches at the National Monument area. These diverse activities not only provide entertainment but also reflect the cultural richness and creativity of Jakarta’s community.

All these celebrations are designed to embrace Jakarta's diversity and progress over the past 500 years, involving all layers of society, and will culminate on June 22, 2027, as the peak moment of the capital city's five-century journey.

The success of this event is supported by cross-sector collaborations with strategic partners such as Tempo, Taman Ismail Marzuki, Kineforum, Think Policy, C40 Cities, GIZ, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), the Indonesia-Australia Partnership for Infrastructure (KIAT), the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, as well as numerous other collaborators.

“JakAsa Hope Canvas”: A Symbol of Aspirations for Jakarta

Amid the lively preparations for Jakarta’s five centuries, a significant moment unfolded on December 31, 2024, when the Provincial Government of Jakarta launched the JakAsa Hope Canvas initiative as part of the “Jakarta 500” campaign at City Hall. This event brought together former governors, deputy governors, acting governors, ministers, heads of state institutions, and council leaders in a forum to reflect on the leadership transitions that have shaped Jakarta throughout its history.

A gathering of Jakarta's leaders and the expression of hopes for the city took place in the Bentang Harapan JakAsa event.

Each leader delivered heartfelt messages envisioning a better and more prosperous Jakarta. They also wrote their hopes and aspirations for the city on a large white canvas, which was displayed in six strategic locations across Jakarta, namely Jakarta City Hall, the mayoral offices in North Jakarta, West Jakarta, East Jakarta, Central Jakarta, and South Jakarta, as well as the Mitra Praja Sunter office in the Thousand Islands Regency. The public is invited to participate by writing their dreams, hopes, and aspirations for Jakarta on these canvases. Alternatively, contributions can be made digitally through the platformjakarta500.id. 

The website jakarta500.id serves as the central source of information about Jakarta 500 and the hopes of its residents for the city’s future.

With strong collaboration and active involvement from the public, the JakAsa Hope Canvas represents a tangible step in Jakarta’s long journey toward its 500th anniversary. This collective expression of aspirations embodies a shared vision for a city that is inclusive, livable, and equal to the world’s leading metropolises.

Share Your Vision for Jakarta!

The “Jakarta 500” campaign is not merely a celebration of the city’s age, but a call to action to foster a collective spirit as Jakarta advances toward its goal of becoming one of the Top 20 Global Cities by 2027. Let’s celebrate Jakarta’s journey toward becoming a global city by sharing your hopes through the Bentang Harapan JakAsa canvas. Don’t miss out on the excitement of Jakarta 500—join the various activities and be part of the celebration!