Building owners agree to redesign their fences

JAKARTA (JP): Most owners of high-rise buildings along Jl. M.H. Thamrin in Central Jakarta have agreed to tear down fences and other border walls to create a friendlier atmosphere, a city official said yesterday.

Central Jakarta Mayor Abdul Kahfi said an agreement by owners was made in response to the city administration plan to make streets more comfortable for pedestrians.

The plan would affect 20 high-rise buildings, excluding embassies, along 1.65 km-long Jl. M.H. Thamrin, he said.

"We've received a positive response from building owners, who are currently in the process of redesigning fences and other walls around their buildings," Kahfi said after a meeting at City Hall.

He said the redesign was being directed with the cooperation of consultants from the City Parks Agency.

At a meeting of buildings owners at Sari Pan Pacific Hotel last month, changes were scheduled to commence in October.

Kahfi, however, expressed pessimism yesterday that the plan would begin as scheduled.

"There are still many preparations that need to be made. Besides, we can't just ask building owners to rush it," he said.

"Now they're in the process of redesigning their fences. We hope the work can be completed soon," he said.

Once the plan was completed, he said, the layout was expected to be more efficient for pedestrians. "Moreover, there's no need for people who work along Jl. M.H. Thamrin to use their vehicles any more when they want to go to other buildings," Kahfi said.

He said that after last month's meeting, building owners appointed their own representatives to discuss the plan with city officials in response to an appeal by Deputy Governor of Economic and Development Affairs Tb.M. Rais.

"The financial scheme has also been completed," Kahfi said.

Under the financial scheme, the municipality will spend an estimated Rp 13.2 billion (US$5.04 million): Rp 6.3 billion for the construction of street medians, sprinklers for parks and decorative lamps, and Rp 6.86 billion for new drainage and ducting utilities.

It was estimated that 20 building owners would contribute another Rp 8.5 billion: Rp 6.8 billion to tear down fences and walls, and pave sidewalks and plant trees, and Rp 1.7 billion to provide bus stops, kiosks, pedestrian lamps, waste bins, benches and direction signs.

Rais said that besides providing comfortable sidewalk areas, the ambitious plan was expected to eliminate the isolation of buildings and make the city a more humane and friendly place.

This would be part of efforts to fulfill a plan called the "Thamrin Walk", where sidewalks would be made between seven and eight meters wide.

The plan will also support the "Gedung Jaya River Walk" along the Krukut river, Central Jakarta, which will have a cafe, and resting and meeting points for pedestrians. In addition, there will be walkways to connect buildings, parking lots and vendor sidewalks.

After completing the plan along Jl. Thamrin, the city will develop other areas, such as Jl. Jend. Sudirman in Central Jakarta and Mangga Dua in North Jakarta. (ste)