Weak law fails preservation projects<\/p>\n
Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The lack of strict regulations is rendering the preservation
\nof heritage sites ineffective, because it is not preventing the
\ndemolition of protected buildings, an expert says.<\/p>\n
Arya Abieta of the Indonesian Architecture Association (IAI)
\nsaid the existing bylaws on heritage preservation initiatives in
\nthe city are weak.<\/p>\n
\"Because of weak regulations, we can see that many old
\n(protected) buildings are being replaced by new ones. Many new
\nbuildings are also being constructed in conservation areas,\" Arya
\ntold The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The government has declared a number of heritage sites
\npreservation areas. Among them are Menteng in Central Jakarta,
\nCondet in East Jakarta, Sunda Kelapa in North Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Many colonial houses in Menteng have been demolished. New
\nbuildings, such as a residential apartment block and a hospital,
\nhave been built on their sites.<\/p>\n
Other new buildings built on preserved sites include Bahari
\nTowers in the Sunda Kelapa project area in North Jakarta, and the
\nconstruction of Omni Batavia Hotel in the old city area in North
\nJakarta, according to Arya.<\/p>\n
\"These preservation projects are not effective as the
\nauthorities are not ready to anticipate the city's fast growth
\nwhile the private sector has already started to exploit the
\nlucrative business in those areas,\" Arya said, at the sidelines
\nof a seminar on planning methods for historical areas.<\/p>\n
Himasari Hanan of the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB)
\ntold the seminar that conservationists should take into account
\neconomic aspects in the preservation of old heritage.<\/p>\n
Otherwise, the preservation process will fail and protected
\nareas will continue to change in accordance with businessmen's
\ntaste.<\/p>\n
Preservation projects could present great business
\nopportunities that could bring advantages to people in the
\nsurrounding areas.<\/p>\n
\"In many cases, if the projects are properly conducted, they
\ncould improve the local economy, increase living standards and
\ntransform the whole region into an active and vibrant area,\"
\nHimasari added.<\/p>\n
She regretted the development of many cities in Indonesia,
\nwhich had ignored past architectural achievements.<\/p>\n
\"The disruption of these past achievements has destroyed
\nsocial cohesion in the urban environment,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Mundardjito of the department of archeology at the University
\nof Indonesia (UI) shared Himasari's view.<\/p>\n
\"The preservation of cultural heritage should be followed up
\nwith efforts based on sustainable development,\" Mundardjito said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/weak-law-fails-preservation-projects-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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