The best breakthrough is finding a way for the community to obtain\ndecent housing without sacrificing safety, the environment, and the\nfuture of the city.<\/p>\n
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Land scarcity has become the greatest issue in\nproviding housing, especially in large cities. Continuously rising land\nprices are making houses increasingly unaffordable for low-income\ncommunities.<\/p>\n
In such a situation, the idea from the Minister of Housing and\nResidential Areas (PKP), Maruarar Sirait, to utilise space above rivers\nas a residential location deserves serious attention. The idea does not\nmerely offer an alternative location, but also invites us to rethink how\nurban space can be utilised more creatively.<\/p>\n
The discourse on building housing above rivers certainly sounds\nunusual. However, it is precisely because of this that the idea is\ninteresting to discuss.<\/p>\n
Minister Ara observes that land limitations in urban areas require\nbreakthroughs, including the possibility of utilising spaces that have\nnot been optimally used so far. This idea was presented within the\ncontext of the government\u2019s efforts to achieve the Three Million Houses\nConstruction Programme target.<\/p>\n
The need for breakthroughs is becoming increasingly urgent. Indonesia\nstill faces a housing backlog problem, while urbanisation continues to\nincrease the demand for housing in urban areas.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, the government cannot rely solely on the\nconstruction of landed houses because land availability is increasingly\nlimited. Therefore, vertical development, the utilisation of state\nassets, SOE-owned land, transit areas, and any possible urban spaces\nmust continue to be explored.<\/p>\n
However, rivers have a different character compared to ordinary land.\nA river is not merely an empty space that can be covered or built upon.\nRivers have vital ecological, hydrological, and social functions. They\nserve as water flow paths, part of the city\u2019s drainage system, and play\na role in flood control.<\/p>\n
Therefore, if the idea of housing above rivers is to be realised, the\napproach must not simply involve calculating how much land can be\nutilised.<\/p>\n
Safety aspects must be the primary consideration. Building structures\nmust be designed in such a way that they do not interfere with the river\nflow and remain safe in the face of fluctuating water levels. The risks\nof flooding, erosion, sedimentation, and extreme conditions due to\nclimate change must be taken into account.<\/p>\n
Technical studies must also ensure that access for officials to\nperform river maintenance remains available. The basic principle is\nsimple: the solution to land shortages must not create new problems for\nflood control and public safety.<\/p>\n
The experience of several cities around the world shows that space\nabove infrastructure can indeed be utilised for urban needs. The concept\nof \u2018air rights development\u2019 or the utilisation of space above\ninfrastructure has been applied in various forms, especially in areas\nwith high land prices.<\/p>\n
However, rivers have a more sensitive character. Therefore, if\nIndonesia wishes to develop a similar concept, the model used does not\nnecessarily have to be buildings that cover the entire riverbed.<\/p>\n
A more sensible choice is to find technically feasible locations and\nbuild structures with designs that maintain the river\u2019s function. In\nfact, this concept could be developed into vertical housing integrated\nwith public spaces, pedestrian paths, drainage systems, and green\nareas.<\/p>\n
In this way, what is utilised is not merely the river itself, but\nurban space in three dimensions.<\/p>\n
Innovation in space utilisation.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/housing-above-rivers-a-new-solution-and-challenge-1788329230", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }