'Jakarta needs more parkland and public space'

'Jakarta needs more parkland and public space'

Jakarta has developed into a sprawling high-rise metropolitan
city and has become a magnet for people from other parts of the
country. But its development has not come without significant
social and environmental costs. During this week, The Jakarta
Post will publish comments from various people on the
environment. Below are comments from related experts.

H.S. Dillon, 57, is an executive director of the Center for
Agriculture Policy Studies.

"The city administration has constructed buildings in many
areas that were designed as green areas, such as Senayan and
Kemayoran. Those two places, since the very beginning, were
designated by former president Sukarno to be the city's lungs.
But, they have since converted the land-use for other purposes.

The capital's lack of parks and public open space is due to
the government's policy on development. There is a wide gap
between the development of Jakarta compared to other cities
across the country, which has inevitably prompted many people to
move to Jakarta. The city has become more densely populated,
while proper social facilities have not been made available.

Policy on development must be nationwide, instead of being too
centralistic. If all cities were given equal treatment to develop
like Jakarta, people wouldn't be lured to migrate to Jakarta.

The absence of parks in the city, combined with the high level
of pollution has also been detrimental to our children. Jakarta
needs more parks to improve the air quality in the city."

Abdul Alim Salam, 48, is an expert in urban planning and a
member of the Indonesian Association of Planners.

"Jakarta is in dire need of public space and parks. Such
places are necessary for the public to interact with each other,
exercise in and play sports.

The high levels of crime, as well as the continuing clashes
between residents, are caused mainly by the lack of social
interaction between the public, owing to the absence of open
space, which would enable the public to express themselves and
interact with each other.

The administration's plan to erect fences at Monas (National
Monument) park, in my opinion, is a big dilemma. Monas' image is
tarnished by street hawkers spilling over into the area and the
abundance of prostitutes.

On the one hand, the fences might enable the government to
ensure security in the area, but on the other hand it would be at
the expense of more limited open space for the public.

Ideally, each neighborhood needs at least 20 percent of the
total area for public space. But at present, only nine percent is
available in every neighborhood.

Gunawan Tjahjono, 57, is a lecturer at the faculty of
architecture, University of Indonesia.

"Jakarta badly needs more public space and parkland. The
existing public spaces and parks sprawl and are not strategically
located. They are often sold as commodities, restricting the
public's access to open space as can be found in Ancol, North
Jakarta.

Sidewalks are also a form of public space for pedestrians that
has been neglected by the city administration. Many sidewalks
have been converted into illegal business areas.

Political will and tough law enforcement are needed to make
better plans that will provide more space for the public and
larger parks."