Revitalizing Culture, Strengthening Urban Life: Old Town of Jakarta
Participants experienced at first-hand the explanation on Jakarta’s Kota Tua (Old Town) revamping efforts.
GETTING to know Jakarta City entails keen observation and patience as the metropolis slowly reveals its rich character to visitors, and even to its residents. As in other places, the ‘soul’ of the city may be easily lost amidst the usual urban ailments. The Jakarta Capital City Government has taken initiatives to turn this case around and highlight the city’s spirit and unique history. An Urban Renewal Workshop was held last July wherein a set of concrete recommendations for Jakarta was produced, together with partners including UCLG ASPAC (with Culture Committee members), UCLG, and Connective Cities, supporting their effort in renewing the Old Town (Kota Tua) area which is the center of the history of Jakarta. Participants from Jakarta’s relevant agencies found the three-day workshop useful and practical, while those from over 10 other cities gladly shared their experiences to encourage the host in their well-intentioned project.
There are immediate and intermediate actions as well as longer-term vision that local government of Jakarta can exercise in both physical and nonphysical aspects for the renewal of Kota Tua. The recommendations also give ways for Jakarta’s authorities to gain accreditation from UNESCO as World Heritage Project. Physical Works. The term encompasses accessibility, safety, comfort, and protection of historic buildings. The long-term vision is to create humanoriented urban environment that put people as the center of development. Focusing on people mobility through good quality of public space, strong policies for heritage buildings and artefacts’ conservations are some of strategies highlighted in the recommendation. The vision is further translated into the enhancement of public spaces and urban amenities and facilities of Kota Tua, and the adaptive-reuse of historic buildings. Translation of longterm vision into immediate actions includes the improvement in access in and to the area, the walkability and comfort of people, as well as traffic reorganization to prioritize pedestrians. Non-Physical Works. This refers to strengthening institutional frameworks, political support, and financing. This step envisions a well-governed, socioculturally and economically vibrant yet conserved heritage area of Kota Tua. As intermediate action, this vision is achieved through the redefinition of boundary by making differentiation between the limited “core areas” of Kota Tua and the larger “buffer areas” (including the four islands of Thousand Islands, which are popular weekend destinations). In terms of governance, it is deemed important to include the revitalization plan of Kota Tua in the ongoing formulation of Local Development Plan (Medium-Term) and secure the budget to strengthen the working unit. Road to UNESCO’s World Heritage. With immense historical value and against a backdrop of milestones in store for Indonesia’s capital city, Kota Tua has been making its way to become a UNESCO World Heritage site. In achieving the goal, it is important to strengthen coalition and its members’ commitment and make re-evaluation of the previous efforts taken and consequently, take in the necessary actions to fill in gaps and fortify its report. One of the many possible efforts taken is to invite relevant partners and start the discussion. Our Creative Diversity: UN World Commission on Culture and Development Report mentions “Culture is the whole complex of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features that characterizes a society or a group. It includes creative expressions, community practices and materials or built forms.” Integration of culture in overall local development is what UCLG
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ASPAC has been committed to do through its Culture Committee led by its President, Governor Won Hee-ryong of Jeju.