Blok M in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, is renowned as one of\nJakarta\u2019s key shopping, dining, and social hubs. The area was once a\nhotspot for Jakarta\u2019s youth, particularly from the 1980s to the early\n2000s.<\/p>\n
However, its popularity has not always been smooth. Blok M\nexperienced periods of decline, with its shopping centres and\nunderground terminals losing their appeal and appearing dormant.<\/p>\n
Now, the urban cycle has turned once more. Blok M in South Jakarta\nhas seen increased visitor mobility, with the operation of the Mass\nRapid Transit (MRT) and the emergence of public spaces like Martha\nChristina Tiahahu Literary Park and M Bloc Space revitalising the area,\nmaking it a bustling gathering spot, especially for younger\ngenerations.<\/p>\n
History of development<\/p>\n
The bustling nature and function of Blok M as a mobility hub has a\nlong history. The development of Blok M began in the 1940s during Dutch\ncolonial rule.<\/p>\n
At that time, the Gambir area was considered too crowded, with the\ngovernment centre and the Presidential Palace located there.<\/p>\n
As a solution, the colonial government designed a new satellite city\nin Kebayoran. The housing concept mirrored the garden city layout of the\nelite Menteng area, divided into alphabetical blocks from A to S. Blok M\nwas designated as the city\u2019s central area.<\/p>\n
This urban planning concept continued post-independence. Historian\nAndi Achdian explained that after sovereignty recognition in 1949, the\nRepublic of Indonesia continued the plan to build a satellite city in\nKebayoran with an integrated design.<\/p>\n
Andi stated that under the execution of architect Mohammad Soesilo,\nKebayoran was designed with a modern concept.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe history primarily began in 1949 with sovereignty recognition.\nThere was a major plan at the time to establish Jakarta as the capital\nand build a new satellite city in Kebayoran,\u201d Andi said.<\/p>\n
According to Andi, the architect appointed was Dutch, while the\nexecutor was Indonesian, Mohammad Soesilo.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was given responsibility to develop the area. Thus, Kebayoran at\nthat time was built with modern integrated housing models,\u201d Andi\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The integrated system designed for Kebayoran included residential\nareas equipped with transportation systems, commercial zones, and\nbusiness districts (offices).<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was a modern design applied in the formation of a satellite\ncity from the early days of the Republic of Indonesia,\u201d Andi said.<\/p>\n
Andi also noted that Blok M was intentionally designed to stand out\nfrom other blocks. It was planned as a comprehensive hub.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was designed from the start as the hub, a node connecting other\nareas. Blok M became a transport transit centre for Jakarta at the time,\nso its development was distinct from blocks like K and G, which became\nresidential areas,\u201d Andi said.<\/p>\n
Shopping hub, \u201cLittle Tokyo\u201d, and Melawai Cross<\/p>\n
Entering the 1970s and 1980s, Kebayoran Baru experienced rapid growth\nalongside the emergence of a new middle class due to economic expansion.\nThis directly transformed Blok M into a commercial and entertainment\nhub.<\/p>\n
\u201cInitially, the Kebayoran settlements were intended for Indonesian\nofficials, including high-ranking ones. They were Indonesia\u2019s new middle\nclass, benefiting from the economic prosperity of the 70s and 80s,\u201d Andi\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis led to a new lifestyle that provided leisure spaces for the\nmiddle-class youth,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
The area\u2019s rapid development was also driven by the Blok M Bus\nTerminal and the proliferation of modern shopping centres. Melawai Road\nearned the nickname \u201cLittle Tokyo\u201d due to the numerous Japanese\nrestaurants in the area.<\/p>\n
Melawai was popular among Japanese expatriates who had long worked\nfor Japanese companies operating in Jakarta then.<\/p>\n
For young people, Blok M was the trend destination. Aldiron Plaza and\nAmerican Hamburger (AH) became iconic venues, with the peak being the\nyouth gatherings at Melawai.<\/p>\n
According to Andi, Melawai Cross functioned as a public space for\nsocial status display.<\/p>\n
\u201cNowadays, people showcase on social media. Back then, it had to be\nface-to-face. People wore imported shoes, imported clothes, styled hair,\nand displayed it all in public,\u201d Andi said.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/blok-ms-ups-and-downs-dutch-designed-dormant-and-revived-1780020110", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }