'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."