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."