Land usage rules relaxed in Jagakarsa

Land usage rules relaxed in Jagakarsa

JAKARTA (JP): Residents of Betawi kampongs in Jagakarsa,
Lenteng Agung, Lebak Bulus, Cinere and Fatmawati subdistricts who
have less than 1,000 square meters of land are now allowed to use
40 percent of their land to build on.

The head of the city planning agency, Ahmadin Achmad, said
over the weekend that the policy was meant to encourage the
development of the areas where indigenous Jakartans live. The
five subdistricts are located in Jagakarsa district.

He did not say whether the governor had approved the policy;
the governor issued a decree (No.3/1987) which regulates the
ratio between the land and buildings in some parts of South
Jakarta mayoralty, including Pasar Minggu and Jagakarsa
districts, both designated as water catchment areas.

According to that decree, residents are allowed to construct
building on only 20 percent of the land they own.

Many families who have small plots had questioned the policy.
They urged the administration to give them a special permit to
allow them to use more than 20 percent.

"We found that many of the families in the five subdistricts
possess only 200 square meter of land. It would be difficult for
them to build on only 20 percent of the land," he said.

"In other areas, land owners are not allowed to construct
building on the plots," he said.

Ahmadin said the restricted areas were located in South
Jakarta, like Ragunan Zoo and land along Krukut river in Cilandak
subdistrict.

To support the policy the administration has also stipulated
that people can only get a building permit if they have at least
1,000 square meters of land.

Ahmadin said those who have small plots of land can join their
plots and ask for one permit. (yns)