Blok M in South Jakarta to get major makeover<\/p>\n
Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Jakarta administration plans to rearrange the already-crowded
\nand chaotic area of Blok M, South Jakarta, to make it a
\ncommercial center.<\/p>\n
The plan is aimed at curbing the fast-growing businesses,
\nwhich have encroached on the residential areas of South Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\"Blok M area will become a more comfortable commercial center
\nwith more space available to accommodate businesses,\" assistant
\nto the city secretary for development affairs IGKG Suena said on
\nMonday.<\/p>\n
\"As a consequence, we will also clear the area of street
\nvendors.\"<\/p>\n
Blok M currently has a bus terminal, traditional market and
\nfour shopping malls and the surrounding streets are packed with
\nsidewalk vendors.<\/p>\n
Although there is no blueprint as yet, Suena assured the
\npublic that the new Blok M would attract businesspeople thanks to
\nthe supporting facilities and access, including the busway that
\nconnects it to Kota business center in West Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\"Hopefully, the development of Blok M will help reduce the
\nconversion of homes into commercial and business premises in
\nSouth Jakarta,\" he said.<\/p>\n
At least 300 homes in the upmarket Kebayoran Baru residential
\narea and dozens of residences in Pondok Indah have been converted
\nfor business use.<\/p>\n
The conversion has led to many problems since the conversion
\nof homes into commercial premises has not been done in tandem
\nwith the development of supporting infrastructure such as roads
\nand parking space.<\/p>\n
Residents in those areas, have repeatedly complained of
\nworsening traffic jams amid the absence of parking areas and
\nnoise caused by business activities.<\/p>\n
South Jakarta Mayor Dadang Kafrawi acknowledged his office's
\nfailure to develop the existing commercial centers had forced
\npeople to use their homes for business.<\/p>\n
\"This (the conversions) is partly due to our sluggishness in
\ndeveloping infrastructure, including the markets in Cipete,
\nMayestik and Blok A to absorb the businesspeople's need for
\nbusiness space.\"<\/p>\n
He revealed that a gubernatorial decree will be issued to re-
\nregulate South Jakarta of which part will be designed for
\nbusiness premises.<\/p>\n
\"Based on the decree, the administration will take action
\nagainst those who convert property or land in residential areas
\nfor commercial purposes,\" Dadang said.<\/p>\n
City Spatial Agency head Nurfakih Wirawan said that his office
\nand the South Jakarta municipal administration had proposed to
\nDeputy Governor Fauzi Bowo to allow the existing businesses in
\nresidential areas to continue operations for two more years.<\/p>\n
At least 27 locations in the area have been proposed earlier
\nby businesspeople for zoning for business use, including Jl.
\nDharmawangsa, Jl. Wijaya, Jl. Panglima Polim and Jl. Wolter
\nMonginsidi.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/blok-m-in-south-jakarta-to-get-major-makeover-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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