Gwo sriwedari

Solo Now, Past and Future: Participatory Public Space Design of Heritage Building

Handover of Design Result of Sriwedari Human Puppet Building from Secretary General UCLG ASPAC who was wearing the costume of Srikandi (woman hero) to Mayor Rudyatmo of Solo who was in werkudoro (strength and dutiful) one.

Surakarta, September 19, 2017. United Cities and Local Government Asia Pacific (UCLG ASPAC) handed over the design results of the Gedung Wayang Orang (GWO) Sriwedari in Solo to the Mayor, Mr. F.X. Hadi Rudyatmo. This participatory design involving more than 200 personnel was the outcome of series of "Public Space Collaborative Design Workshops" organized by UCLG ASPAC and the City Government of Solo, also known as Surakarta. Ultimately, the project will reinvigorate the human puppet theatre and bring back the audience that can enjoy and immerse themselves in this unique, cultural art form.

Mayor Rudyatmo signed the results of "Public Space Collaborative Design Workshop" after receiving it from UCLG Secretary General of ASPAC Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi. This Design was also given to Mrs. Endah Sitaresmi Suryandari, Head of Public Works and Spatial Planning (DPUPR) Agency and Mr. Kinkin Sultanul Hakim as Head of Heritage Agency of Solo for future follow-up actions.

"Solo has a lot of interesting tourism potentials; Human Puppet is one example of traditional art that has survived more than 107 years that require

special attention from the community and the City Government," said Mayor Rudy.

Signature of Design Result is aimed at preserving Human Puppet which is one of oldest cultural heritages of the City. GWO Sriwedari will look more modern with dynamic stage space, good acoustic arrangement and calculated with details, comfortable seat arrangement, and support facilities for the performing artists. All these improvements will upgrade the quality of Sriwedari Puppet’s show in the future and increase the enthusiasm and number of visitors.

GWO Sriwedari reconstruction is targeted to start in 2018 so that Surakarta City will have an international quality building that does not lose its traditional character and culture that has been tightly sealed.

New design concept of GWO Sriwedari building which depicts the movement of the dancer.

This is the 3rd UCLG ASPAC successful public space project using public participation for ideal designs. This method has given a fresh and dynamic approach in supporting the program agenda of cities, members of UCLG ASPAC.