Debating paradigms

Debating paradigms

Having read with interest the article Indonesia still dreams
of a new architectural paradigm by Bambang Eryudhawan in last
Sunday's edition of The Jakarta Post, I offer a few thoughts for
your readers.

The article put forward the conceptual argument for urban
consolidation -- reinforcing the dominance of the city center by
higher density urban land uses. Unfortunately this "new paradigm"
is seen as a magic antidote contrasted against the ills of
growing urban sprawl: environmental destruction, growing
transport distances and the monotony of "the suburbs". All of
which are unfortunately being increasingly seen in Jakarta.

However, far from a do or die situation, both public and
private sectors are pursuing another paradigm in parallel with
urban consolidation to address Jakarta's swelling urbanization
levels. The paradigm of "Growth Centers" or "Satellite Cities" is
as old as the term town planning itself. It has been around ever
since Ebenezer Howard planned his Garden City of new communities
removed from the congested center of London over 100 years ago.
Employment centers with open spaces, integrated communities with
schools, shops, clean air and the other utopian ideals which
Bambang "dreams" about.

Regional growth centers in the Botabek region -- Bogor, Bekasi
and Tangerang -- are attracting large scale "garden cities" such
as the highly successful "Lippo City", which integrates
industrial activity with residential communities. There is much
scope for these new developments given the predicted huge
population growth of the region, the growth of manufacturing
industries, the escalating costs of living in Jakarta, the growth
of middle class Indonesia and the cultural preference for ground
level housing.

I would suggest Mr. Bambang have a look at any one of the real
estate housing exhibitions regularly held at the Hilton
Convention Center -- the market is already responding to the
challenge.

DAMIEN MATE

Jakarta