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.