JP/3/Rais/lead 10 pts 2 cols

JP/3/Rais/lead 10 pts 2 cols

Tall buildings should be friendly to their surrounding community:
Rais

JAKARTA (JP): Deputy Governor Tb. M. Rais is warning
developers that the move to build lavish high rises throughout
the city could create isolated enclaves and have a negative
impact on national unity.

Rais, the deputy governor for economy and development, told a
Bakrie group sponsored seminar entitled "Developing Tall
Buildings in Indonesia" that when the facilities on the compound
of a tall building are superior to those in the surrounding
community it can threaten the government's goal of harmony.

"Such developments often serve exclusively as a proving ground
for renowned foreign architects and designers, catering to the
demands of the privileged expatriates and members of the elites
which demonstrate a capitalistic philosophy and life-style," Rais
said.

"As a result, western methods are being repeated in the wrong
context," Rais said, saying the public would be better served if
local resources and a more innovative approach were used.

Unfortunately western-minded approaches are the norm for
large-scale property developments in Indonesia, Rais said.

This condition is exacerbated by the absence of appropriate
urban development policies and guidelines so that the location
and the concept of such developments is dictated mainly by market
forces and the whims of developers, Rais said.

Their motive is mainly profit and "rapid turnover," Rais said,
regretting that this ill approach is being followed by many
developers.

"Hence, I would like to call the attention of developers to
this negative approach," Rais said, believing that there are many
ways developers can integrate the socio-cultural and economic
dimensions of the surrounding community into the plan and design
of tall buildings.

Rais expressed his hope that property development will help
the city reorganize and restructure its urban environment and in
the end benefit the public in general.

Rais was particularly concerned that the plush apartment
buildings that are superior to the homes in surrounding
communities, especially the slums, will ignite social jealousy.

The brisk sales of luxury apartment buildings in the city, the
owners of which are wealthy Indonesians or foreigners, in the
last several years is partly attributable to the growth of the
wealthy classes.

Superblock

In his speech, Rais also mentioned his opinion of the city's
first superblock -- known as the Sudirman Business District --
which is now being developed by PT Danayasa Arthatama.

"The rationale behind the superblock concept -- known as
spatial clustering -- is acceptable since it attempts to enhance
the well-being of the environment and modernize the city," Rais
said.

However, Rais is cautious that the attempt will reflect the
early colonial policies and work against the concept of national
unity because the self-contained superblocks imply the state of
being closed, thereby creating exclusive enclaves. (06)