Parks: finding free space in the city<\/p>\n
Christine Foster, Contributor, Denpasar, Bali<\/p>\n
Healthy and well-used public parks, unlike cars, computers and
\ncompetition, are curiously lacking from the Indonesian modern
\nlifestyle. Rather, the ethic of privatization has overshadowed
\nany sense of or consideration for abundant public space. This is
\nunfortunate, as parks are an antidote to the confinement of city
\nlife, a remedy to the over-abundance of concrete modernity.<\/p>\n
In Indonesia, there are currently two types of parks: those
\nfound in remote forested areas (part of the National Park system)
\nand those found in cities. Further back in history is the notion
\nof alun-alun, space provided by kings for people to air their
\ngrievances, but it was also a place where the king could act in
\nkind, by publicly punishing wrong-doers.<\/p>\n
City parks (where they exist) were almost exclusively created
\nby the New Order regime. These urban "public spaces" are usually
\ngraced with a monument and host the occasional state celebration.
\nThey are generally panoptic in character: everyone can see
\neveryone else, and there is the feeling that someone else is
\nwatching the watchers. These spaces, and the history they
\nrepresent, are not dedicated to spontaneous recreation and
\nrelaxation; they act as reminders of the power and discipline of
\nthe state.<\/p>\n
Even though the few public spaces in urban Indonesia are
\nincreasingly used for sporting activities since the end of the
\nNew Order, rarely are people to relax in them, except perhaps on
\nthe periphery where a food vendor (and seating) is often found.<\/p>\n
Take for example, Renon Field, site of the Bajra Sandhi
\nmonument in Denpasar. In the early evenings, the field is full of
\npeople jogging, playing soccer or practicing various martial
\narts. It is a place for vigorous activity, as though there must
\nbe an excuse to be there.<\/p>\n
Seldom do parents go there with their children, because the
\nspace has not been designed to accommodate them. There are few
\nplaces to sit; any public facilities on offer are dirty, and in
\nthe middle of the day, it remains in quiet juxtaposition to the
\nbusy streets. A few trees provide shade, but these are vulnerable
\nto wall-building, or worse, landscaping.<\/p>\n
It must be kept in mind, however, that using a park for
\nrecreation and relaxation is, like democracy, a relatively new
\nconcept in this country. Also, like democracy, parks may not
\nappear to be immediately socially or culturally relevant. Before
\nthe birth of urban sprawl and "modernity", urban Indonesians
\nlived life at a slower pace. There was no need for a specific
\nplace to relax, as warung, crossroads with food stalls or even
\nlarge trees invited a spontaneous break from daily activities.
\nWhile this lifestyle might still exist in rural areas, it is
\nquickly disappearing from the urban landscape.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the frantic pace of development has rendered most
\ncities overcrowded and increasingly "unlivable". Along with the
\ndrastic social and economic changes, which have ushered in new
\nways of expressing Indonesian culture, there is a need to examine
\nnew ways of providing a better "quality of life" for urban
\nresidents. People who live in over-populated cities deserve a
\n"livable" environment, and part of this lies in the provision of
\nhealthy public parks.<\/p>\n
The existing alternative for leisure and recreation is not
\nactually "public", rather it is "private". Shopping malls are now
\na source of "entertainment" evidenced by the crowds found there
\non any given day. In keeping with the "Asian modern lifestyle",
\npeople have learned to define consumption as leisure, or even
\nfreedom of choice.<\/p>\n
The problem with this is simply that it requires a degree of
\nfinancial success to enjoy this kind of recreation and
\nrelaxation. It creates pressure to compete and ultimately
\nconfusion about the meaning of freedom of choice. Those who don't
\nhave the money, or the inclination to shop are left with nowhere
\nto go.<\/p>\n
Well-used parks are integral to civic pride. The word "civic"
\nderives from the Latin civitas, meaning "of the city". The first
\ndocumented park was created by Caesar in Rome, who converted his
\nprivate gardens into a pubic space available for the common
\npeople to unwind from the stress of city life.<\/p>\n
In later centuries, rulers in other countries followed suit by
\ncreating public spaces for the enjoyment of ordinary folks. It
\nwas considered a noble gesture of an enlightened leader to ensure
\nthat residents of a city had access to public space.<\/p>\n
Parks became places for public expression without fear of
\nretribution. People flocked to their parks, and civic pride led
\nto new ideas about democracy, which further stimulated public
\nunderstanding of freedom and social well-being.<\/p>\n
Planning for parks in an already crowded city is possible. In
\nKuala Lumpur, officials recently established a 20 hectare park in
\nthe middle of the city, complete with playgrounds for children. A
\nbusinessman who owned the land had wanted to build yet another
\nshopping complex. The city officials decided that they would
\nissue the necessary permits contingent upon the businessman using
\npart of the space as a park for residents of the city. The
\nofficials acted responsibly by providing recreational space for
\neveryone in Kuala Lumpur to enjoy while simultaneously creating
\nhundreds, if not thousands, of new employment opportunities.<\/p>\n
As Indonesia's cities continue to grow to the point of being
\nunlivable, the need to create ample public space is more urgent.
\nThe establishment of city park systems throughout the country
\nwould remedy the lack of space in the urban environment. The
\ngovernment should be generous in using its own land to provide
\npublic space for its citizens.<\/p>\n
Businesses should also consider how they can contribute to
\nthis aspect of public welfare. Parks serve as a reminder that we
\nare not separate from nature. They provide us with oxygen, shade,
\na space in which to breathe freely. They ultimately make cities
\nmore livable and people-oriented. Well-designed parks will also
\nhelp instill civic pride in a country that is battling serious
\nself-image problems. Planning for parks should begin today,
\nbefore it is too late.<\/p>\n
- The writer is postgraduate student in sustainable
\ndevelopment at Murdoch University in Perth, Australia.<\/p>",
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