Jakarta’s Rising Challenge
Jakarta, the bustling capital of Indonesia, is home to a staggering 11 million residents. With a history steeped in flooding, the city’s recent decades have been particularly trying. Nestled on wetlands, intertwined with 13 major rivers, and neighboring the Java Sea, over 40% of Jakarta’s terrain lies below sea level. The city’s situation is further exacerbated by groundwater extraction, causing the ground to sink. Add the intensifying monsoons and rising tides due to climate change, and the looming threat becomes palpable.
A Collaborative Solution: The SAS Hackathon
In a bid to address this escalating concern, the Jakarta Provincial Government sought assistance from the annual SAS Hackathon. Enter Team JaWaRA (Jakarta Water Resources Analytics), a formidable group comprising government data scientists, engineers, and tech experts from local SAS partner, StarCore Analytics.
Harnessing the power of SAS® AI, machine learning, and streaming analytics, Team JaWaRA meticulously analyzed real-time data on rainfall, water levels, and river flow. Their objective? To enhance flood prediction and mitigation. The result was an Early Warning System, a pivotal component of Jakarta’s overarching Flood Control System.
Amir Toha, Co-Founder of StarCore Analytics, remarked, “In cities and regions everywhere, climate change has increased the risk, frequency and severity of flooding. To meet this rising threat, governments like Jakarta’s are taking steps to better predict, manage and mitigate flooding. These efforts save lives, protect property and support business. In Indonesia and elsewhere, AI and IoT analytics are important tools for responding effectively to climate change.”
Team JaWaRA’s Triumph
Out of over 100 teams from 140 organizations, Team JaWaRA’s innovative approach to utilizing AI, machine learning, and IoT analytics didn’t go unnoticed. They were crowned the overall winners of the 2023 SAS Hackathon.
Einar Halvorsen, Global Hackathon Program Lead at SAS, praised their efforts, stating, “Team JaWaRA and its Early Warning System are a wonderful example of creative people using AI and advanced analytics to address big challenges. That’s what the SAS Hackathon is all about. Teams transform data into better decisions that improve lives in their organizations, communities and the world at large. Congratulations to Team JaWaRA!”
A Legacy of Excellence
This isn’t the first time Jakarta’s collaboration with StarCore Analytics has garnered accolades. The previous year’s SAS Hackathon saw another joint team clinch the top spot, optimizing COVID-19 relief distribution to millions of enterprises using SAS Viya’s AI and machine learning capabilities.
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Jakarta: Pioneering the Smart City Vision
The Jakarta Provincial Government’s endeavors in the SAS Hackathon are merely a fragment of their broader smart city initiative. By integrating technologies like AI and IoT analytics, Jakarta aims to bolster its resilience against socio-economic and environmental challenges, enhance citizen engagement, and cater to community needs more effectively.
For a deeper dive into Jakarta’s smart city journey, readers can explore the customer story, “Jakarta Smart City uses IoT analytics to better serve residents.”
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