City environmental health still poor, expert says<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): An expert on environmental health expressed
\nconcern on Saturday over the poor development of environmental
\nhealth in the capital, due to the reluctance on the part of most
\nJakartans to adjust their old norms to the present conditions.<\/p>\n
Umar Fahmi Achmadi said that Jakartans could be identified as
\nvillagers living in a city, where their village norms were not
\nacceptable.<\/p>\n
\"In short Jakartans are villagers whose way of life is still
\ncolored by village norms which are no longer suitable in a city,
\nwith its communal characteristics,\" he told reporters in a
\nseminar on how to transform Jakarta into a healthy city.<\/p>\n
The one-day seminar, attended by about 100 people, was held by
\nthe Association of Indonesian Experts on Environmental Health at
\nthe City Hall.<\/p>\n
He reiterated that Jakarta was still far from becoming a
\nhealthy city.<\/p>\n
Umar, who is also head of the research development division of
\nthe Ministry of Health, said that because the city's life was
\ncommunal, people's activities needed limitations so as not to
\naffect others.<\/p>\n
\"So, discipline is needed as a characteristic of living in the
\nurban community, for the sake of everybody's comfort,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Due to village norms which do not recognize limitations or
\nregulations on, for instance, stopping vehicles or disposal of
\ngarbage, it is common in Jakarta to see many people behaving as
\nif they were still living in their villages, he said.<\/p>\n
\"People do not realize, for example, that traffic jams, which
\nare caused by drivers who stop their vehicles as they like, will
\ncreate air pollution,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He reiterated that it was time now for Jakartans to change
\ntheir way of life, in line with the norms applicable to a city.<\/p>\n
\"It needs the full attention, not only of the city
\nadministration but also of the public themselves. In this case
\nthe administration faces an uphill task, as Jakartans are multi
\nethnic with multi (social and economic) levels,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Umar said that efforts to make Jakarta a healthy city should
\nbe backed by good infrastructure and city planning.<\/p>\n
\"Those entrusted to draft city planning should be those who
\nhave city norms,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Influence<\/p>\n
The city's environmental condition is strongly influenced by
\npopulation factors, he said.<\/p>\n
\"Countries with healthy environments are usually those with a
\nhigh Gross National Product, an indicator of people's
\nparticipation (in creating a healthy city). Only those who are
\nnot troubled by everyday difficulties such as supplying enough
\nfood for their families, can participate in thinking about their
\nhealthy environment,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Under the present conditions, where the city has been hit by
\nwidespread food shortages, Jakarta is far from being healthy,
\nUmar said.<\/p>\n
\"We need time to condition people to an urban community's way
\nof life,\" he said. (ind)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/city-environmental-health-still-poor-expert-says-1447893297",
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