Jakarta. The number of slum areas in Jakarta has fallen by more than half over the past nine years, declining from 445 neighborhood units in 2017 to 211 in 2026, city officials said on Wednesday.

Governor Pramono Anung said the reduction reflects steady progress in urban improvement, although further verification is still needed to confirm the classification of some areas.

“Overall, although around 1,900 areas are no longer categorized as slums, I believe further verification is still needed,” he said at City Hall, adding that the decline represents a reduction of about 52.58%.

The city is partnering with Central Statistics Agency (BPS) to improve urban mapping through a combination of field surveys and satellite imagery, aimed at strengthening data accuracy and supporting policy planning.

BPS chief Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti said the methodology integrates direct data collection with satellite-based calibration to ensure more precise results.

The initiative also supports Jakarta’s push to expand green open spaces, which are seen as critical to improving air quality and mitigating the urban heat island effect.

As of April 2026, Jakarta’s green open space reached about 3,703.56 hectares, up from around 3,446 hectares in 2024, or roughly 5% of the city’s total area, marking an increase of about 257 hectares over two years. Over the longer term, green space has expanded from an estimated 3,080 hectares in 2013, reflecting gradual but steady growth, although still well below the national target of 30% coverage.

Green spaces such as parks play a key role in sustainable urban planning by absorbing pollution, regulating temperature and improving residents’ mental well-being and social cohesion.

According to the World Health Organization, access to green space can reduce the risk of mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety while enhancing overall quality of life.

Despite the progress, air quality remains a persistent challenge. On Sunday, Jakarta recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 182, with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) reaching 100 micrograms per cubic meter, far exceeding recommended safety thresholds.