Design offers humane approach to urban problem<\/p>\n
Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Nine years ago on the Code riverbank in Yogyakarta, an architect,
\nthe late Romo Mangun, erected a milestone in the history of
\nIndonesia's urban development.<\/p>\n
For the first time, in the country that often sold its assets
\nto the highest bidder, an attempt to evict hundreds of urban poor
\nwas foiled using a peaceful, yet savvy strategy.<\/p>\n
Telling the Code residents to beautify their houses with
\ncolorful and interesting paint, Romo Mangun rendered the
\nYogyakarta administration speechless upon seeing that the
\nerstwhile shabby area had became an attractive place, and, later
\non, a tourist attraction.<\/p>\n
Residents of the Code riverbanks have continued to live there
\nwithout ever being threatened again with eviction.<\/p>\n
The move has become an inspiration for people to do the same.
\nChallenging administration eviction excuses, some squatter
\ncommunities have proven themselves to be environmentally
\nfriendly.<\/p>\n
Residents of Penas Tanggul on the Cipinang riverbanks, East
\nJakarta, for example, have maintained a clean environment,
\nincluding the section of river in front of their houses, for
\nabout a decade, thanks to environmental awareness and the
\nassistance of non-governmental organization Institut Sosial
\nJakarta (ISJ).<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, in the name of order and clinical beauty, city
\nadministrations still resort to eviction as a way of keeping
\ntheir cities in order.<\/p>\n
For Jakarta, the attempt has proven to be no panacea, as the
\ncity is still chaotic despite dozens of evictions.<\/p>\n
Concerned at the city's perpetual squatter problem, some urban
\narchitects have tried to offer an innovative approach that is
\nradically different to what the administration has done.<\/p>\n
Living under toll roads<\/p>\n
Led by architect Andra Matin, the group has designed
\nhealthier, more comfortable living spaces under the Gedong
\nPanjang elevated toll road and beneath the Pluit toll road
\nintersection, both in North Jakarta. The designs were displayed
\nas part of CP Biennale 2005 \"Urban Culture\" at Bank Indonesia
\nMuseum earlier this month.<\/p>\n
\"About two hundred people live at the intersection of Pluit
\ntoll road. They are nice, friendly people; when we visited them
\nthey welcomed our idea,\" Andra said.<\/p>\n
\"They said they had grown accustomed to vehicle noise. Due to
\nthe strength of the wind, the place was reasonably cool,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
For people in Pluit, Andra designed three housing towers that
\nwould be supported by metal frames for advertising billboards.<\/p>\n
\"The interchange is a busy road; cars traveling to and from
\nSoekarno-Hatta Airport pass there,\" he said. \"The elevated toll
\nroads are quite high so I have designed a tall tower.\"<\/p>\n
Andra's design is unique and has the potential to become an
\nattractive spot in the city.<\/p>\n
\"Because of the strong wind, I think people could build a
\nwindmill to generate power,\" he said.<\/p>\n
For the Gedong Panjang squatters, Andra has designed two rows
\nof modest, two-story buildings.<\/p>\n
\"People there keep pets like cats, and livestock like ducks
\nand chickens. I have designed elevated houses so they could keep
\nthe animals under their houses,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Andra suggested the squatters construct the buildings from
\nbamboo and wooden planks.<\/p>\n
The first level of the building would be more suitable for
\nfamilies while the rooms on the second level would be for singles
\ndue to the smaller size.<\/p>\n
Andra has also designed a common area and playground for
\nchildren there.<\/p>\n
Of course the places are no shangri-la and should not have
\nbeen living spaces in the first place, no matter how good the
\ndesign. However, squatters live there anyway and evicting them
\nwould not solve the city's problems; indeed, it would likely
\nexacerbate the problems of urban poverty.<\/p>\n
Thus, Andra's design gives light to a more humane approach to
\nmanage Jakarta; whether the current city administration, which
\nevicted thousands last year, would embrace the concept willingly
\nis another question.<\/p>",
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