Jakarta's streets no fun for pedestrians

Jakarta's streets no fun for pedestrians

Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Strolling the sidewalks of Indonesia's capital Jakarta is a
pedestrian's nightmare compared to the sidewalks of other
Southeast Asian capitals like Kuala Lumpur or Singapore.

On most of Jakarta's streets, the sidewalks have been taken
over by street vendors, forcing pedestrians to walk out on the
road regardless of the heavy traffic.

Try it for yourself by taking a walk along the streets around
Tanah Abang market in Central Jakarta or Pasar Minggu bus
terminal in South Jakarta. You will quickly realize the hazards
of being a pedestrian in Jakarta.

Sidewalks have always been an important urban element as they
are the safest place for residents to walk, separated from the
traffic-clogged streets, says urban planner Tengku Ismail Reza.

"It's very important to provide proper spaces for pedestrians
as vehicles move much, much faster," he said.

"Since the city is designed and built for all its residents,
the Jakarta administration must also provide enough spaces for
pedestrians."

The failure to provide appropriate sidewalks reflected the
administration's lack of concern for pedestrians, highlighting
the fact that it only cared about motor vehicle owners.

Data from the Jakarta Public Works Agency shows that there are
501,901 meters of sidewalks covering an area of 736,561 square
meters. This means that on average, the sidewalks in the city
have a width of 1.4 meters, which is wide enough for two
pedestrians to pass side by side.

Regarding street vendors, Reza said they should be welcomed as
long as they did not obstruct the passage of pedestrians.

"The presence of street vendors can enhance the ambiance of
particular place. Most of the time, street vendors provide
support for the city's main activities," he said.

"But they must be properly organized. The Jakarta
administration should not accommodate them all the time. There
should be clear zoning."

Most pedestrians have urged the administration to provide
enough space for street vendors so they do not occupy the
sidewalks.

"The administration must locate the vendors to special places
instead of allowing them to occupy the sidewalks. We realize that
they also have a right to earn a living," Surya, a pedestrian,
said.

Another pedestrian, Pio, also called for the removal of street
vendors from the sidewalks as they were blocking the passage of
pedestrians.

"The Jakarta administration must put a plan in place to
relocate the street vendors to somewhere else," he said.
"However, I would still compromise in the case of the vendors
selling plants and garden ornaments, such as around Senayan."

The plant and garden ornament vendors have turned the
sidewalks in Senayan, Central Jakarta, into roadside gardens full
of beautiful flowers and plants.

Unfortunately, the vendors have occupied the entire sidewalks
without leaving any space for pedestrians.

"Actually, there is an agreement saying that we must provide a
one-meter-wide space for pedestrians along the sidewalks," said
Serin, who has been selling plants in Senayan since 1975.

"But it seems my fellow vendors haven't been paying attention
to the agreement at all. The control is also very weak."

Pio also called on the Jakarta administration to start
planting more trees on sidewalks to provide shade from the sun.

Another resident, Joseph Indra Dean, said it was almost
impossible to have an enjoyable stroll in Jakarta due to the
problems caused by the street vendors.

"You just can't have a nice stroll in Jakarta. The street
vendors have spoiled the atmosphere, I guess. All we can do is
get from point A to point B as quickly as possible, rather than
enjoying the walk," he said, pointing to the absence of benches
and small parks to enhance the enjoyment pedestrian atmosphere.

Joseph said he often walked from his office in Bapindo Plaza
on Jl. Jend. Sudirman to neighboring buildings, but that was as
far as he would walk.

"Actually, the sidewalks along Jl. Jend. Sudirman are not that
bad, but they are still missing several elements," he said,

Sidewalks on Jakarta's main thoroughfares, such as Jl. Jend.
Sudirman, Jl. Jend. Gatot Subroto and Jl. M.H. Thamrin, as well
as commercial districts, are in relatively good condition
compared to other places.

They have a regular width of between 1.5 meters and three
meters, and are well maintained. Due to their location, there are
not so many street vendors, thus enabling pedestrians to pass
more freely.

But it is a different story with sidewalks in other places
especially those located near markets and other traditional
economic centers.