Housing above rivers: A new solution and challenge
The best breakthrough is finding a way for the community to obtain decent housing without sacrificing safety, the environment, and the future of the city.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Land scarcity has become the greatest issue in providing housing, especially in large cities. Continuously rising land prices are making houses increasingly unaffordable for low-income communities.
In such a situation, the idea from the Minister of Housing and Residential Areas (PKP), Maruarar Sirait, to utilise space above rivers as a residential location deserves serious attention. The idea does not merely offer an alternative location, but also invites us to rethink how urban space can be utilised more creatively.
The discourse on building housing above rivers certainly sounds unusual. However, it is precisely because of this that the idea is interesting to discuss.
Minister Ara observes that land limitations in urban areas require breakthroughs, including the possibility of utilising spaces that have not been optimally used so far. This idea was presented within the context of the government’s efforts to achieve the Three Million Houses Construction Programme target.
The need for breakthroughs is becoming increasingly urgent. Indonesia still faces a housing backlog problem, while urbanisation continues to increase the demand for housing in urban areas.
On the other hand, the government cannot rely solely on the construction of landed houses because land availability is increasingly limited. Therefore, vertical development, the utilisation of state assets, SOE-owned land, transit areas, and any possible urban spaces must continue to be explored.
However, rivers have a different character compared to ordinary land. A river is not merely an empty space that can be covered or built upon. Rivers have vital ecological, hydrological, and social functions. They serve as water flow paths, part of the city’s drainage system, and play a role in flood control.
Therefore, if the idea of housing above rivers is to be realised, the approach must not simply involve calculating how much land can be utilised.
Safety aspects must be the primary consideration. Building structures must be designed in such a way that they do not interfere with the river flow and remain safe in the face of fluctuating water levels. The risks of flooding, erosion, sedimentation, and extreme conditions due to climate change must be taken into account.
Technical studies must also ensure that access for officials to perform river maintenance remains available. The basic principle is simple: the solution to land shortages must not create new problems for flood control and public safety.
The experience of several cities around the world shows that space above infrastructure can indeed be utilised for urban needs. The concept of ‘air rights development’ or the utilisation of space above infrastructure has been applied in various forms, especially in areas with high land prices.
However, rivers have a more sensitive character. Therefore, if Indonesia wishes to develop a similar concept, the model used does not necessarily have to be buildings that cover the entire riverbed.
A more sensible choice is to find technically feasible locations and build structures with designs that maintain the river’s function. In fact, this concept could be developed into vertical housing integrated with public spaces, pedestrian paths, drainage systems, and green areas.
In this way, what is utilised is not merely the river itself, but urban space in three dimensions.
Innovation in space utilisation.