Developers get environment-friendly awards
JAKARTA (JP): The central government on Monday granted awards to 12 developers in Greater Jakarta (Jabotabek) for their roles in helping protect the environment at their respective housing complexes.
Presented by Minister of Settlement and Regional Development Erna Witolear and State Minister of Environment Soni Keraf, the Rumah Lestari (Eternal Home) awards were given out to mark World Environment Day, said Dhonny Rahajoe of the Indonesian Real Estate Developers Association (REI), one of the 17 coordination team members for the contest.
"Actually, the awards were to be presented in October last year on World Habitat Day. Since there's been significant reorganization in the state administration, the event could not be carried out until today," he said.
The awards, the second batch to be presented after 1997, are divided into four categories, namely for low-price housing complexes, small, medium and vast complexes.
Most of the winning projects are located on the outskirts of the capital, such as in Bekasi and Tangerang.
The team of 11 juries came from different professions, including Tjuk Kuswartoyo and Suparti A. Salim from Bandung's Institute of Technology, Dedes Nur Gandarum from Trisakti University and Agus Pambagio from Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI).
In the first category, first prize went to Villa Bekasi Indah II followed by Mutiara Bekasi Jaya and Griya Bukit Jaya respectively. The second category for small housing complexes was won respectively by Griya Tugu Asri, Jatiwarna Indah and Cibinong Griya Asri.
First place in the medium housing complex category went to Gading Kirana, Kemang Pratama and Citra 2.
Bumi Serpong Damai for the second time came first in the big housing complex category. Second and third places were taken by Cikarang Baru and Telaga Kahuripan respectively.
"We're glad that our efforts in implementing the concept of environmentally sound development have been acknowledged by the government and all those involved in selecting the winners," commented Budiarsa Sastrawinata, an executive of the 1,400- hectare Bumi Serpong Damai housing complex.
"It's not merely about reward," Budiarsa said.
One of the complex's environmentally friendly projects is the recycling of waste collected in Bumi Serpong Damai, which currently has some 14,000 houses and a number of shops, offices, plants and schools, he said.
According to Dhonny, the selection for the second biennial contest held jointly by REI and the two ministries occurred in August last year.
"We invited some 1,000 people who had their housing projects in the greater Jakarta area. But only 90 developers could meet the requirements. Of the number, only 25 names were in the final selection," he said.
The organizers, Dhonny said, are considering the possibility of allowing developers to register their projects located outside Jabotabek in the contest. (bsr)