Jakarta to emulate Milan in transforming abandoned industrial areas into public spaces
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - An urban planning expert from the University of Indonesia (UI), Muh Azis Muslim, believes that Jakarta should emulate the city of Milan, Italy, in transforming abandoned factory or industrial areas into gathering and activity spaces for the community.
This was conveyed by Azis in response to the cooperation between the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government and the City of Milan in the Leadership Exchange Programme Jakarta–Milan on May 9-16, 2026.
The Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta, Rano Karno, will participate in this collaborative program to discuss the development of culture, urban arts, public spaces, and urban food security.
According to Azis, Milan has successfully utilized neglected old areas so that its citizens can enjoy them again.
“This is what Jakarta can learn, how abandoned factory areas or areas that are no longer optimal can be transformed into public spaces that are beneficial for the community,” said Azis when contacted by Kompas.com on Sunday (May 17, 2026).
He believes this step is important because public spaces in Jakarta are still very limited.
Meanwhile, the community’s need for spaces that can be used to gather and carry out activities continues to increase.
“Jakarta has very limited public space, possibly less than 10 percent of its area, which means it is very minimal. When learning in Milan, areas that are no longer operating or active can be utilized as public spaces which are one of the centers of community activities and also a growing economic activity,” he said.
“Public space is important not only for creative economic activities but also for social interaction and places for people to relax from the hustle and bustle of the city,” he added.
In addition to public spaces, Azis said that Jakarta can also learn from Milan regarding urban food security management.
According to him, Milan has policies to reduce food waste and urban farming programs that can be implemented in Jakarta.
“This is interesting because Jakarta currently faces the problem of waste. Food waste reduction and urban farming programs like in Milan can be adopted,” he said.
Azis believes that the cooperation between Jakarta and Milan is a positive step to support Jakarta as a global city.