Blok M in South Jakarta to get major makeover
Blok M in South Jakarta to get major makeover
Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The Jakarta administration plans to rearrange the already-crowded
and chaotic area of Blok M, South Jakarta, to make it a
commercial center.
The plan is aimed at curbing the fast-growing businesses,
which have encroached on the residential areas of South Jakarta.
"Blok M area will become a more comfortable commercial center
with more space available to accommodate businesses," assistant
to the city secretary for development affairs IGKG Suena said on
Monday.
"As a consequence, we will also clear the area of street
vendors."
Blok M currently has a bus terminal, traditional market and
four shopping malls and the surrounding streets are packed with
sidewalk vendors.
Although there is no blueprint as yet, Suena assured the
public that the new Blok M would attract businesspeople thanks to
the supporting facilities and access, including the busway that
connects it to Kota business center in West Jakarta.
"Hopefully, the development of Blok M will help reduce the
conversion of homes into commercial and business premises in
South Jakarta," he said.
At least 300 homes in the upmarket Kebayoran Baru residential
area and dozens of residences in Pondok Indah have been converted
for business use.
The conversion has led to many problems since the conversion
of homes into commercial premises has not been done in tandem
with the development of supporting infrastructure such as roads
and parking space.
Residents in those areas, have repeatedly complained of
worsening traffic jams amid the absence of parking areas and
noise caused by business activities.
South Jakarta Mayor Dadang Kafrawi acknowledged his office's
failure to develop the existing commercial centers had forced
people to use their homes for business.
"This (the conversions) is partly due to our sluggishness in
developing infrastructure, including the markets in Cipete,
Mayestik and Blok A to absorb the businesspeople's need for
business space."
He revealed that a gubernatorial decree will be issued to re-
regulate South Jakarta of which part will be designed for
business premises.
"Based on the decree, the administration will take action
against those who convert property or land in residential areas
for commercial purposes," Dadang said.
City Spatial Agency head Nurfakih Wirawan said that his office
and the South Jakarta municipal administration had proposed to
Deputy Governor Fauzi Bowo to allow the existing businesses in
residential areas to continue operations for two more years.
At least 27 locations in the area have been proposed earlier
by businesspeople for zoning for business use, including Jl.
Dharmawangsa, Jl. Wijaya, Jl. Panglima Polim and Jl. Wolter
Monginsidi.