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