Public parks to replace gas stations

Public parks to replace gas stations

JAKARTA (JP): The Chief of West Jakarta Park Office, Abuhir
Siara, said the mayoralty will remove six gas stations in its
area to make way for the development of public parks.

Abuhir said the decision to demolish the gas stations was made
because their operational licenses have already expired. "The
stations are also located on medians," he said.

He said two of the six gas stations are located on Jl. Kyai
Tapa, while the other four are located on Jl. Gajah Mada, Jl.
Hayam Wuruk, Jl. Kunir and Kalideres.

According to Abuhir, the decision to remove the gas stations
is in line with the city administration's basic policy to build
as many public parks and green areas as possible.

Abuhir was quoted by the Jayakarta daily on Wednesday as
saying that it is almost certain that the operational licenses of
the gas stations will not be renewed. But he refused to reveal
the exact time of the demolition, saying that his office is still
waiting for the city's decision on the relocation of the
stations.

The City Park Office Chief, Syamsir Alam, has said that the
city is planning to create 250 public parks.

He explained land scarcity in the capital is the main cause of
the "misuse" of public parks, while some classic big city
problems such as urbanization and the increasing demand for
public service facilities also contribute to the dwindling number
of public parks.

The city administration, Syamsir said, has given the City Park
Office until the year 2005 to convert ten percent of Jakarta's
650 kilometers land areas into green areas.

Governor Surjadi Soedirdja has repeatedly stressed the
importance of public parks. Without them, he said, rapid
construction and population growth in Jakarta will make the city
look like an unhealthy, concrete "jungle".

To support the city's programs, Abuhir said the West Jakarta
mayoralty is now constructing two new public parks around Jl.
Pesing and Jl. Pangeran Jayakarta.

The total cost of the two parks is Rp 300 million (US$136,301)
and the office will also line the sidewalks on Jl. Jembatan Lima
with plants and shrubbery.(mas)