The Meru Sanur Hotel (formerly Bali Beach Hotel), a 10-storey\nbuilding standing at 32 metres, is currently Bali\u2019s tallest. Completed\nduring President Sukarno\u2019s era before height restrictions of 15\nmetres\u2014or the height of a coconut tree\u2014were implemented. The Bali\nRegional House of Representatives (DPRD) is now proposing to relax the\nrules with specific zoning, allowing up to 45 metres. However, the\nproposal has faced significant opposition.<\/p>\n
Academic I Putu Gede Suyoga of the Bali Institute of Design and\nBusiness warned that relaxing the rules without strong governance risks\nspatial chaos. \u2018If the 45-metre limit is introduced without proper\ngovernance, chaos will ensue,\u2019 Suyoga stated at a discussion forum\ntitled \u2018Bali\u2019s Skyline and Building Height Limits\u2019 organised by the\nCenter for Dharmic Studies (CDS) on Thursday, 28 May 2026.<\/p>\n
He added that the debate over high-rises in Bali is not merely a\ntechnical spatial planning issue but also concerns cultural identity,\nspiritual landscapes, and the island\u2019s future amid growing investment\nand development pressures.<\/p>\n
The proposal to allow buildings up to 45 metres resurfaced in April\n2026 after the DPRD Bali\u2019s Special Committee on Spatial Planning,\nAssets, and Licensing (Pansus TRAP) suggested a \u2018Value-Based Special\nHeight Zoning\u2019 concept. Under the plan, the general 15-metre height\nlimit would remain, but areas including Nusa Dua, South Kuta, parts of\nSanur, Tabanan\u2019s coastline, and Gianyar could allow buildings up to 45\nmetres.<\/p>\n
Pansus TRAP argued the policy was necessary due to rising land\npressure, soaring property prices, increased investment demands, and to\ncurb horizontal development, which they say causes spatial planning\nviolations.<\/p>\n
PHDI Bali chairman I Nyoman Kenak urged the government not to rush\nthe change, calling the jump from 15 to 45 metres too drastic and a\nthreat to Bali\u2019s cultural and spiritual values.<\/p>\n
Suyoga explained that Bali\u2019s current situation differs significantly\nfrom 20 to 30 years ago, with southern Bali facing heightened\ndevelopment pressure due to urban sprawl. Productive rice fields\ncontinue to be converted into villas, hotels, and commercial areas.\nMeanwhile, demand for modern urban facilities\u2014such as vertical housing,\nhospitals, educational centres, integrated parking, and mixed-use\nzones\u2014has grown.<\/p>\n
He noted Bali\u2019s tourism pattern is shifting towards a metropolitan\ntourist city model. Suyoga acknowledged supporters of the height\nrevision have rational arguments. The 15-metre limit, he said, has\ndriven horizontal expansion, causing villas and hotels to encroach on\nfarmland, worsening traffic and uncontrolled land consumption.<\/p>\n
However, he stressed that allowing 45-metre buildings carries\nsignificant risks, including the loss of Bali\u2019s visual identity, threats\nto spiritual sanctity and taksu (spiritual power), pressure on clean\nwater infrastructure, and rising property speculation that could\ndisplace locals from economic hubs. He also highlighted ecological\nthreats such as earthquakes, coastal erosion, floods, and water\nshortages that could worsen without adequate infrastructure for vertical\ndevelopment.<\/p>\n
Suyoga noted that tall buildings are not new to Bali. Vertical\nstructures have existed since the 8th to 19th centuries, even during\ncolonial times. In early Balinese architecture, tall buildings\nsymbolised the cosmos, particularly mountains manifested as meru\ntemples. During the Bali Madya era and Majapahit influence, vertical\nconcepts evolved in sacred and symbolic architecture.<\/p>\n
Thus, he argued, the core issue is not building height but how Bali\u2019s\nspaces are managed. \u2018Bali\u2019s issue is not insufficient building height,\nbut chaotic spatial planning, uncontrolled development, and traffic,\u2019 he\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Height regulations have been considered since the 1970s when Bali\ndeveloped as an international tourist destination. The principle of a\nmaximum 15-metre height\u2014or coconut tree height\u2014remains relevant today\ndue to its ties to Balinese customs, culture, and spiritual landscapes.\n\u2018Bali does not need a total liberalisation to 45 metres across all\nareas,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n
He said selective regulatory reforms through special zoning in\nspecific metropolitan areas, transit zones, modern business districts,\nor parts of tourist areas like Nusa Dua and South Kuta\u2014underpinned by\nthorough ecological studies and strict development controls\u2014are needed.\n\u2018High-rises for whom?\u2019 he asked.<\/p>\n
Suyoga also highlighted how indigenous communities are often\nmarginalised when facing formal laws and large-scale investment\ninterests. He stressed indigenous communities must be given space to\nvoice their interests and narratives to avoid being overwhelmed by\nglobal investment logic. \u2018Bali\u2019s face is our collective responsibility,\u2019\nhe said.<\/p>\n
He urged lawmakers to thoroughly examine the issue before deciding on\nheight regulation revisions. When asked how to ensure development does\nnot lead to ecological ruin, Suyoga stressed the need for objective and\nindependent environmental impact assessments (EIA). \u2018The EIA must be\nclear. The assessment team must be competent, impartial, and objective\nin evaluating potential phenomena,\u2019 he insisted.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/balis-proposed-high-rise-buildings-spark-criticism-1780023138", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }