Dedi Mulyadi's Move to Unite Gedung Sate-Gasibu Draws Criticism
The move by West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi to integrate Gedung Sate with the Gasibu Field in front of it has drawn criticism. According to Aji Bimarsono, Chairman of the Bandung Cultural Preservation Community, also known as Bandung Heritage, uniting the two sites will alter the zoning. “This has the potential to violate spatial planning,” he said on Thursday, 23 April 2026.
According to him, changes in zoning from integrating the Gedung Sate grounds with Gasibu Field could be possible. However, it must be conducted through studies that consider various urban aspects and via an approval process for the changes.
In addition, Bandung Heritage highlighted the impact of the integration on Jalan Diponegoro in front of Gedung Sate. If vehicle traffic on that road is rerouted, Aji said it would potentially cause traffic movement conflicts in the surrounding area. “Vehicle movement speed will slow down due to the change from a straight road to one with twists and turns,” he stated.
Aji said that merging Gasibu Field into the Gedung Sate grounds would damage the authenticity of the cultural heritage area as a national technical department office. The area should be redeveloped with a deep understanding of its history and cultural heritage values. “And involving truly competent experts,” he said.
Agus Suharjono Ekomadyo, a lecturer at the School of Architecture, Planning, and Policy Development at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), also raised the issue of expert involvement in the integration project. He suggested that West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi should be accompanied by experts in decision-making. “It’s dangerous if the governor is not surrounded by academics,” he said.
Quoting the official website of the West Java provincial government, Dedi Mulyadi stated that one of the goals of redeveloping the Gedung Sate grounds is to allow public activities to proceed more freely and smoothly. According to him, activities such as demonstrations in front of Gedung Sate have often disrupted traffic, leading to the closure of Jalan Diponegoro in front of Gedung Sate and causing congestion.
In the future, the public will still be able to voice their aspirations in front of the West Java government building without vehicle obstacles. On the other hand, traffic will not be disrupted by public activities in front of Gedung Sate because vehicles will be rerouted as they can no longer pass directly in front of Gedung Sate. “In the future, Jalan Diponegoro will remain open and will not be disrupted by activities in front of Gedung Sate,” he said on Wednesday, 15 April 2026.
The project work is being carried out from 8 April to 6 August 2026, covering an area of 14,642 square metres. West Java Regional Secretary Herman Suryatman said that the Gedung Sate area will also be tidied up by removing banners and billboards, regulating street vendors, and strengthening environmental security aspects.