Preserving the Old, Revitalising the New Economy at Tawang Station

The restoration of Semarang Tawang is a more serious undertaking than mere cosmetic renovation. PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) manages over 600 heritage-status buildings across Indonesia, 120 of which are currently undergoing restoration. Semarang Tawang Station, which was re-inaugurated on Thursday (23/7) after 330 days of work, is just one of those projects.

Semarang Tawang Station serves as the first completed model for the direction of upcoming station restoration projects, including Jakarta Kota, Tanjung Priok, and Bogor, which are scheduled to follow later this year. The 112-year-old building, designed by Dutch architect Sloth-Blauwboer, sits on a 27,310 square metre site, with the main building spanning approximately 5,300 square metres. The restoration work was divided into two stages: the front facade and main hall first, followed by the western and eastern sides.

Due to its heritage status, the Regulation of the Minister of Culture and Tourism Number PM.57/PW007/MKP/2010 mandates that every detail, from window shapes to public space layouts, must adhere to historical documentation rather than contemporary design preferences. This regulation is also what makes the process slower and more expensive compared to simply repainting an old building.

One of the most technical aspects of this work is not visible in ceremonial photographs: the drainage system. North Semarang, where Tawang is located, is known for being a region routinely affected by tidal flooding (rob). It is no coincidence that this revitalisation includes improvements to water channels, as restoring a beautiful facade would be futile if the station floors remain flooded every time the sea rises.