Wetskills-Indonesia 2025 – blog 1 –
Today marked the long awaited start of the 2025 edition of Wetskills in Semarang, Indonesia! We started the day at the Islamic University of Sultan Agung, our host university, with a round of introductions that had a twist: share one personal item you brought with you. From the practical portable fan to lucky charms, it was a great icebreaker.
The first day revolved around field visits, starting off at a big pumping station in the Banger Polder where we were introduced to how the water system in Semarang works, as well as the complexities around the issues they are facing such as the increasing rainfall intensity that regularly causes flooding.
We continued to Toko “Oen” for two presentations giving further insight into the water system in Semarang and the cultural heritage surrounding it, before enjoying lunch and a cooling scoop of ice cream. Next, we visited a smaller pumping station in the historic part of the city, primarily designed for rainwater drainage. The third and final pumping station was located all the way at the coast, where we saw how the water found its way into the ocean.
The ended at a large infrastructure project where a new toll road is being realised that doubles as a dike, providing both a new transportation link as flood protection. After a presentation and Q&A on the background of the project, we had the chance to see the work up close!
We learned about a unique aspect of the dike construction which is the innovative use of bamboo mats that’re integrated into the dike itself. These mats help break waves, trap silt, and promote the growth of mangroves: supporting coastline restoration and stabilizing the dike. And the most beautiful part? It relies on locally available materials which are inexpensive and environmentally friendly!
Blog by Ilse Ronner, Dominique Jamin and Tita Dinandra
