Monitoring the Changes of Natural to Urban Environment in Indonesia’s New Capital City Development through Historical Imagery

The large-scale conversion of forest into urban infrastructure has raised concerns about vegetation degradation, land-use transformation, and ecosystem stability. Aims: to evaluate vegetation index changes and urban environmental transformations in Indonesia’s new capital city, Ibu Kota Nusantara (IKN), due to large-scale development. Methodology and results: to assess these changes, a multitemporal satellite imagery taken from Google Earth combined with NASA Earth Observatory was conducted using the Visible Atmospherically Resistant Index (VARI) analysis method to analyze pre-and post-development conditions in the IKN area. This data is also supported by field visits in 2024 to the Core Government Centre Area (Kawasan Inti Pusat Pemerintahan/KIPP) for direct land cover observations. The results reveal a significant vegetation loss and rapid IKN development, indicating the environmental impact of IKN’s development. Conclusion, significance and impact study: These findings emphasize the urgency of implementing sustainable urban planning strategies to mitigate the environmental effects of large-scale urbanization. By systematically analyzing environmental changes, this study provides critical data that can serve as a foundation for policymakers in formulating strategies that support ecological preservation and sustainable urban growth in IKN. Strategies such as smart city design, ecosystem-based approaches, and resilience planning are essential to achieve the goals of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). At the same time, mitigation measures including reforestation, green infrastructure, and equitable land-use policies are directly connected to SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). These connections underscore the relevance of linking environmental technology with global sustainability agendas.