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)