Batavia to be given face-lift

Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Old Batavia Revitalization Program kicked off in downtown Kota, West Jakarta, on Sunday in the hope of turning around the crumbling area.

The launch ceremony was marked by the signing of a memorandum of understanding between representatives of the Jakarta Old Town- Kotaku (JOK) community group and a number of companies that have committed to help develop the area.

The event, held at the original Bank Indonesia building adjacent to the Kota railway station, was highlighted by the launch of several wooden boats on the Kali Besar River and arts performances, including by the Vienna Chamber Orchestra and a barongsai dance troupe.

Jakarta Deputy Governor Fauzi Bowo said the city administration would improve the infrastructure in the area to turn Kota into a top tourist destination.

"Support from so many different parties in developing the area has encouraged the administration to work seriously on this issue," he said.

Included in the administration's plans are rerouting traffic away from Kota and revising the city's spatial plan for the area.

"We know the traffic jams are a serious barrier to turning Jakarta into an attractive tourist destination," the deputy governor said.

Kota is notorious for its poorly maintained historic buildings, nightmare traffic, recurrent flooding, parking problems, ubiquitous street vendors and polluted rivers.

JOK chairwoman Miranda Swaray Goeltom, who is also the senior deputy governor of Bank Indonesia, said the revitalization of Kota was a long-term effort and more parties were needed to get involved in the program.

The event was also attended by Bank Indonesia Governor Burhanuddin Abdullah, PT Pos Indonesia president director Ali Nafia, PT Kereta Api Indonesia president director Oemar Berto and Tarumanegara University Rector Dali Santunaga.