Where the City Shines - My Actifit Report Card: April 4 2026

As noted in my previous post, Jakarta is a city marked by an overabundance of shopping malls. This evening, I visited one of its newer additions: Ashta Mall.

Located in the SCBD, widely regarded as Jakarta’s most prestigious business district, Ashta occupies a space that encapsulates the city’s aspirational identity. For many fresh graduates, securing employment in this area remains a significant ambition. The district projects a carefully curated image of metropolitan modernity: towering skyscrapers, well-maintained pedestrian infrastructure, and orderly road networks, all reinforcing Jakarta’s self-image as a modern global metropolis.

Ashta Mall was established in 2020, making it a relatively recent development. It is unclear what previously occupied this site, likely a residential area. As with many large-scale urban projects, however, the displacement of earlier settlements is neither unusual nor unexpected.

Such developments, while emblematic of progress, carry significant environmental consequences. Jakarta has frequently been described as the fastest-sinking city in the world, a condition to which rapid urban expansion has materially contributed. The extensive extraction of groundwater required to sustain large-scale infrastructure accelerates land subsidence, progressively lowering the city’s elevation.

Nevertheless, spaces such as this remain undeniably appealing. Ashta Mall offers a level of comfort and convenience that continues to attract visitors.

The retail landscape within the mall is positioned at the higher end of the market, likely reflecting its location within SCBD and its appeal to expatriates and affluent urban consumers.

More broadly, Indonesia continues to face challenges related to low levels of reading engagement, often cited among the lowest globally. In response, various initiatives have emerged to address this issue. Notably, Ashta Mall incorporates a well-designed, freely accessible reading space that is both inviting and conducive to quiet engagement.

Another notable attraction is the surrounding cityscape. The illuminated skyline of high-rise buildings holds a particular appeal, especially for residents of South Jakarta. The presence of ornamental fountains, despite their considerable consumption of water and electricity, further reflects the city’s preference for visually striking urban features.

This may ultimately be beside the point. What matters, in the end, is that such spaces continue to provide a sense of enjoyment and satisfaction for their visitors.

This report was published via Actifit app (Android | iOS). Check out the original version here on actifit.io

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