How 'Five Thousand Rupiah Coffee' and Jakarta Flyover Views are Saving Workers' Wallets

Flyovers at several urban points, such as the Pasar Rebo flyover in East Jakarta, are no longer functioning solely as traffic infrastructure but are evolving into transit spaces and gathering spots for young people. At certain times, particularly from late afternoon into the evening, these areas are often filled with residents stopping briefly to chat, enjoy the city atmosphere, or simply unwind after work.

According to Rissalwan Habdy Lubis, a social observer from the University of Indonesia, this phenomenon is driven by economic factors and the need for communal spaces. He notes that economic considerations are a primary factor for young people when choosing where to congregate. Furthermore, the scarcity of public open spaces in urban areas reinforces this tendency.

“Besides being free, these open spaces serve a purpose; while they are similar to parks, the reality is that such parks are very scarce in urban areas,” Rissalwan said via WhatsApp on Friday (15/5/2026). “The psychological aspect is significant; there is a sense of freedom experienced when they gather there, as if they are not being disturbed by the urban congestion.”

Rissalwan believes the functional shift of flyovers into gathering spots is inseparable from the limited availability of public spaces in major cities like Jakarta. Although some open spaces exist, access is often difficult or requires payment.

“There are some places, it is not that there are none at all, but once again, they are far away and usually involve fees or are under specific authorities,” Rissalwan noted. He also observed a tendency among the youth to seek social spaces that are less regulated and do not create a sense of being monitored. “Psychologically, young people want to gather without being confined by certain social boundaries.”

According to him, activities on flyovers generally occur from late afternoon to night, when traffic begins to ease but still maintains urban dynamism. From the vantage point of the flyover, the traffic below becomes an interesting spectacle for some residents. “They can witness the congestion below; the attraction lies in the fact that besides gathering and chatting, they can also observe the bustling pulse of the capital,” he concluded.