City strives to build humane sidewalks, open spaces
City strives to build humane sidewalks, open spaces
What strikes a visitor to a city the most? Some would say its
people, others say its atmosphere, cleanliness and safety.
Visitors to Jakarta may find the people friendly -- too friendly
to be comfortable, sometimes -- and the physical appearance
fitting its reputation as one of the world's largest kampongs. To
Jakarta residents, much has changed, both for the better and for
the worse. In conjunction with Jakarta's 469th anniversary, which
fell yesterday, The Jakarta Post looks at a recent positive
change under the governorship of Surjadi Soedirdja. The City Park
Agency has strived to give Jakarta a more humane look, to create
a pleasant environment for its residents and to encourage
urbanites to help care for the environment. The following is the
report.
By Fitriyanti Djoni
JAKARTA (JP): The midday sun was scorching Jl. Kyai Tapa in
West Jakarta as pedestrians choked on pollution from the busy
street in front of Trisakti University.
If not for spacious sidewalks and adjacent green strips,
walking along the road would be dreadful. The flowers and tall
pine trees along the road sooth both pedestrians and motorists.
Indeed, Jl. Kyai Tapa has been transformed. Once crowded with
sidewalk vendors, it is now clean and beautiful. At night rotund
lamps create romance and women, who used to fear this place, can
now enjoy their dim light.
"I feel safe now that the sidewalks are broader, I don't need
to worry about getting grazed by motorbikes. Moreover, they have
raised the sidewalks well above road level," said Nanda, a teller
at the BNI 46 branch near the private Trisakti university campus.
The green belt to the north of the road, which runs parallel
with Jl. Dr. Susilo, also contains benches for those wanting to
rest under the shady trees. The northern sidewalk meets the
Grogol Bus Terminal, making it easy for passengers to enter or
exit the terminal.
Although work is yet to be completed, the renovation of Jl.
Kyai Tapa's sidewalks has changed the face of the area. The
pedestrian bridge in front of the Sumber Waras hospital has been
rebuilt and painted turquoise green. It now also has a roof to
protect pedestrians from the sun and rain.
Jl. Kyai Tapa's beautification is not the first such project
in Jakarta. In Kebon Sirih, between Jl. Menteng Raya and Jl. Haji
Agus Salim, there are now good sidewalks and several well-
designed bus stops.
In Jl. Kebon Sirih, people rest on the grass without benches.
And the evening street colors are beautiful: green foliage mixing
with yellow light from decorative lamps.
Another beautiful spot is on the Banjir Kanal, from the Dukuh
Atas bridge on Jl. Sudirman to Jl. Sultan Agung (Pasar Rumput).
The northern river bank is lined with shady trees.
But when evening falls, the spheric, decorative lamps are
inadequate both in number and intensity. Hookers use the area to
ply their trade. Thus, many people avoid this public place.
Humane
Syamsir Alam, head of the City Park Agency, is the man behind
the renovation projects.
"We are striving to humanize and beautify the city's parks and
sidewalks to ensure comfort and safety of pedestrians," Syamsir
said in an interview with The Jakarta Post.
Zain Rachman, founder of Indonesian Landscape Architects
(IALI), said the city administration's efforts to renovate the
city's green zones, with attention to redevelop parks and widen
sidewalks, were an overdue humanitarian act for the city's
pedestrians.
Zain, who is also a member of the Council of Indonesian
Landscape Architects (MALI), said in an interview with the Post
that road development gives priority to car drivers, without
consideration for pedestrians.
"The result is that pedestrians, far outnumbering car drivers,
have been ignored far too long," quipped Zain Rachman, who was
selected by the late Ibu Tien Soeharto to design and manage Taman
Buah Mekar Sari, the national fruit plantation in Cileungsi,
Bogor, West Java.
Pedestrians are often run over by cars because the sidewalks
are too narrow and streets lack basic pedestrian facilities, he
continued.
"Most green zones or state land are occupied by street
vendors, gasoline stations, food stalls, car repair shops, even
by private domains," he said.
Syamsir acknowledged this saying that street vendors, vehicle
repair shops and gas stations have "robbed pedestrians of their
comfort and safety."
Zain said that pedestrians are not the only ones suffering
from this because more parks are lost.
The municipality's efforts to make citizens realize the
problems and redevelop green areas are therefore quite admirable,
he said.
"The regreening efforts and construction of sidewalks and park
paths should be joined in by all government offices and the
private sector. For instance, offices do not really need wall
fences. This would create a spacious and open impression," he
said.
Sidewalks should be built wide enough for four or five people.
"It doesn't mean that sidewalks should be that wide all over
the city. If it has to run along a narrow piece of land, the
sidewalk should be shaped accordingly. Everything should be
geared with the pedestrian in mind. They should enjoy the walk
and the view of the park. It should be like a piece of art," Zain
said.
Syamsir agreed saying that beautiful sidewalks, complete with
telephone booths, benches and cozy bus stops, please the eye and
may become one of the city's attractions.
"Clean streets are a tourist object. Tourists will feel safe
and comfortable and will be encouraged to walk in the city," he
said.
"If you can walk, why not do it? Especially if the sidewalks
are provided with the necessary facilities," he added.
To create a humane look, his office has built green fences of
half to one meter high.
"We expect to pull down all the fences and replace them with
green fences. Except in areas where security is vital, such as in
office or housing complexes, because if we pulled down the fences
there, the occupants would not feel safe," he said.
Renovation of the city's green areas and sidewalks is not
limited to posh areas. The agency has also transformed many small
streets and alleys, urging local residents to get involved by
planting their own trees.
"It is now up to city residents to keep their city clean and
beautiful," he said.
Many city residents welcome the change.
"My kids are fond of our afternoon strolls. When the sidewalks
were narrow, I used to be afraid of motorbikes short-cutting on
the sidewalks. The kids don't have to worry about that now. We
often sit on a bench and have a portion of bakso," said Tomang
resident Wati merrily.
Iwan, who works at the Ministry for Public Housing, said that
since the Kebon Sirih sidewalks were widened and decorated with
plants, he often goes there to relax.
"Nowadays my lunch breaks take about 10 minutes longer because
I like to enjoy the sight of the green grass along the
sidewalks," he said, adding that he hoped the renovation plan
would cover all roads in Jakarta.
Tuti, an office worker on Jl. Sabang near Kebon Sirih, said
the sidewalks resembled Singapore's.
"Offices actually don't need fences, a fence-free-view would
give the illusion of more space," she said.
"I usually feel tired after work. When I arrive at the bus
stop and see all this green, fatigue seems to melt away. It is
especially good for tired eyes, I use a computer a lot, you see,"
she said.
Syafril, an office worker in Jl. Blora in Central Jakarta,
said that the Kali Malang renovation near the railroad had
improved the neighborhood.
"People no longer identify the riverside with a huge and vast
garbage disposal, or public latrine," he said.
He hopes that the view can also be enjoyed by people passing
the railroad.
"There are many food stalls blocking the view, though. They
should be pulled down, if possible," he said, pointing to a line
of food stalls from Jl. Blora to Pasar Rumput.
Lidya, an office worker in the Land Mark Center, said that the
view of Kali Malang from her office is magnificent: "Except
there's too little light. It is quite dark actually. If there
were more lamps along the riverside, it might take the fear out
of me. I like the idea of occasional open-air relaxation. The air
in the office is cold but stifling. Relaxing in the open air
would be wonderful, the more so under shady trees."