The transformation of the Mahakam rivers from common to privatized spaces and infrastructure of extractivism - has affected residents of the city of Samarinda and its ecology. Pesut, or the endangered freshwater dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) as endemic species, express the change of landscape because of the infrastructure of logging and mining companies occupying the river bed and increased river pollution that causes mass death of river fish. In 2021, the Government proclaimed Samarinda a city of civilization by implementing “Smart City Plus” to respond to climate change, focusing on expanding the city's green spaces and demolishing slums along the river. Along with the planning to move the capital of Indonesia to East Kalimantan, which is being built 99 kilometers from the city of Samarinda, positioning the city of Samarinda as the partner area for the new capital.

The research project is to understand how city rivers are configured under the changing political regimes from colonial to post-colonial times and shape the socio-ecological relations of city residents to the river. Understanding the complexity of intersectional issues is essential to grasp how the interweaving of frontier-making and climate changes shapes the connections between extractivism and Samarinda’s river-city nexus. In addition, there is a need to establish local engagement and action to revitalize social-ecological collective memory for the river-city future caring relations. Therefore, it contributes to understanding the dynamics of city-river relations in Indonesia and Southeast Asia.