DOI: https://doi.org/10.14710/interaksi.14.1.78-103

Unity in diversity: sculpting Nusantara’s city identity

*Theresia Lavietha Vivrie Lolita  -  Communication Science Program, Universitas Multimedia Nusantara, Indonesia
Aloysius Gonzaga Eka Wenats Wuryanta  -  Communication Science Study Program, Universitas Multimedia Nusantara, Indonesia
Received: 29 Sep 2023; Revised: 20 Feb 2025; Accepted: 24 Apr 2025; Published: 20 Jun 2025.
Open Access Copyright 2025 Theresia Lavietha Vivrie Lolita, Aloysius Gonzaga Eka Wenats Wuryanta under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/.

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Abstract
This study examines the development of urban identity in Indonesia's new capital, IKN Nusantara, addressing challenges in environmental sustainability, Indigenous rights, and policy implementation. The research assesses how the city’s planning reflects Indonesia’s cultural and ecological diversity through a qualitative analysis of government reports, academic studies, and news articles. Findings identify three core themes—identity, mobility, and inclusivity—as critical to fostering collective belonging. The study concludes that integrating these elements through participatory governance can establish Nusantara as a model of sustainable urbanism, recommending that the IKN Authority adopt proactive branding strategies to address equity concerns.
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Keywords: city identity; city branding; the state capital; national identity; Nusantara

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