Inconsistent permit policy criticized<\/p>\n
Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The city administration's policy with respect to the building
\nand restoration of houses in Menteng, Central Jakarta, is being
\nquestioned by longtime residents, as they consider the
\nadministration to be imposing double standards in issuing
\nconstruction permits.<\/p>\n
The establishment of small hotels, restaurants and buildings,
\nas seen along Jl. K.H Wahid Hasyim, has clearly disregarded the
\ngarden city concept of the area, and developers are still able to
\nobtain permits from the city administration for business
\npurposes.<\/p>\n
According to Gubernatorial Decree No.D.IV-6097\/d\/33\/1975,
\nMenteng is designated a conservation area due to its many
\nhistoric buildings of unique architectural value.<\/p>\n
Destroying and replacing houses that have particular
\nhistorical or architectural quality is prohibited by the decree.
\nHowever, as the decree does not state a penalty for violators,
\nmany old houses have been replaced by new ones that do not have
\nthe characteristics of traditional Menteng houses.<\/p>\n
\"The new residents are allowed to build fortress-like houses,
\nwith high walls and gates. According to the rules, there is a
\nspecified minimum separation between houses, and gates should not
\nbe higher than 1.5 meters,\" said Mrs. Kartakusuma, a Menteng
\nresident for 40 years, at a seminar on restoration in Menteng
\nheld by the City Museum and Restoration Agency.<\/p>\n
Apart from the unclear regulations, the resident cited concern
\nover the high property tax in Menteng, saying that it had forced
\nold residents who were unable to afford the land tax to sell
\ntheir property to the nouveau rich, who were uninterested in
\nconserving the old houses.<\/p>\n
\"They tear down old residences and build Mediterranean-style
\nhouses in the area, which are not suited to the original planning
\nconcept\" said Fauzi Bowo, the City Secretary who is also a
\nMenteng resident.<\/p>\n
\"The thoroughgoing coordination and attention of the city's
\ndevelopment and urban planning agency is critical to the
\npreservation of Menteng,\" he added.<\/p>\n
According to historian Adolf Heuken, another possible option
\nthat could be implemented in the area would be to impose higher
\nland taxes on those who violated the construction regulations,
\nand to minimize the tax on houses built in accordance with them.<\/p>\n
Urban architects also stressed the importance of stringent
\nguidelines and the need for government agencies to be much more
\nproactive in overseeing developments in the area.<\/p>\n
\"There isn't a single agency that is completely responsible:
\nAgencies seem to shirk their responsibilities when it comes to
\nthis matter,\" said one urban architect, Djauhari Sumintardja.<\/p>\n
But chief of the city restoration agency Idris defended
\nagencies at the city administration, saying, \"We can't blame the
\nagencies themselves ... the problem is the impropriety of certain
\ncity officials.\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/inconsistent-permit-policy-criticized-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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