Foundation for conservation launched<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Foundation for Cultural Heritage
\nConservation and Revitalization (Lestari Foundation) was launched
\non Tuesday in an effort to increase public awareness and raise
\nfunding for the conservation of Indonesia's much neglected
\nhistorical buildings.<\/p>\n
Chairman Andy Siswanto said the foundation was established on
\nApril 29 with an aim of assisting the government protect and
\nrevitalize historical sites.<\/p>\n
\"Many technical substantive weaknesses and structural problems
\nconfront the conservation and revitalization effort, including a
\nlack of public awareness, improper planning, design and
\nengineering skills and financing,\" Andy said.<\/p>\n
Minister of Public Works Rachmadi B. Sumadhijo, who sits on
\nthe foundation's supervisory board, noted that many buildings of
\nhistorical significance were simply abandoned because the owner
\ncould not afford the high cost of revitalizing the site but could
\nnot demolish it because of a government regulation.<\/p>\n
\"The conservation and revitalization of historical buildings
\ncannot guarantee a quick return on investment, therefore,
\ndevelopers prefer instead to build shopping complexes, buildings
\nand hotels,\" Rachmadi said.<\/p>\n
The Lestari Foundation, in cooperation with the government,
\nwill conduct a public campaign to increase public awareness of
\nthe importance of historical buildings.<\/p>\n
The foundation is also developing a cooperation with various
\nmayoralties.<\/p>\n
\"The regional administrations of Semarang, Central Java and
\nUjungpandang, South Sulawesi have expressed their intention to
\nrevitalize their historical sites,\" Rachmadi said.<\/p>\n
He added that the foundation was striving to have developers
\nand businessmen donate a portion of their revenue for
\nconservation activities.<\/p>\n
\"The central government doesn't have sufficient funding to
\nconduct the revitalization (by itself),\" he added.<\/p>\n
Rachmadi said that among the foundation's work, the initial
\nfocus would be on buildings and sites in the Kota area of Jakarta
\nand the old part of Semarang in Central Java.<\/p>\n
Interested parties seeking to be involved in the foundation's
\nwork can contact the secretariat at Jl. Hang Tuah IX\/35,
\nJakarta.(02)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/foundation-for-conservation-launched-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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