Sarwono hails idea to build homes on stilts
Sarwono hails idea to build homes on stilts
JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Environment Sarwono
Kusumaatmadja is in favor of a proposal that homes in water
catchment areas be built on stilts.
The proposal, from South Jakarta Mayor Pardjoko, was among
other suggestions to help preserve water catchment areas.
"But the municipality should serve as an example and build its
offices on stilts" in such areas, Sarwono said.
Locations in the mayoralty have been designated as the city's
main water catchment areas. However, given the relatively cooler
climate, they are also favorite sites for residential areas.
Sarwono had earlier addressed a seminar, which was held by the
mayoralty, on preserving South Jakarta as a water catchment area.
Sarwono also urged that more information be given to residents
on the need to build more water catchment wells.
Given the decreasing amount of water catchment areas, the
mayor said houses planned for construction on plots of less than
500 square meters should be built on stilts.
The districts of Jagakarsa, part of Cilandak and a part of
Pasar Minggu, all in South Jakarta, are particularly designated
for water catchment areas. The current rule states that building
is allowed on a maximum of 20 percent of the plots in the
districts. In order for a building permit to be issued, a plot
must be a minimum of 500 square meters.
A further decrease in water catchment areas in South Jakarta
is also indicated by only two remaining natural ponds, the Mangga
Bolong and Babakan ponds.
Pardjoko, Sarwono added, could easily secure support from
high-ranking residents on policies to preserve water catchments,
as "most ministers live in South Jakarta".
Pardjoko had also proposed that the city change rules on
building limitations in water catchment areas.
But Pardjoko said given the increasing price of land,
violations were likely to become rampant because many residents
had smaller-sized plots. More buildings will be found without
building permits, he said.
A way out of this problem, he said, would be to make mandatory
the provision of collective areas for groundwater preservation.
He said this was suggested six months ago to the municipality,
which is working on the idea.
The central government or the municipality, Pardjoko said,
could buy the necessary plots from residents, but he acknowledged
the source of funds might be a problem.
Deputy Governor for Developmental Affairs, Tb.M. Rais, said in
his address that a maximum of 35 percent, or 800 million cubic
meters of annual rainfall, enters into the ground. From this
figure, he said the city's annual groundwater potential is around
77 million cubic meters per year.
As the safe limit for groundwater use is up to 70 percent, or
48 million cubic meters per year, Rais reiterated warnings that
the intake has become critical. The city-owned water company,
PDAM Jaya, has only catered to 48 percent of homes in Jakarta.
(anr)
JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Environment Sarwono
Kusumaatmadja is in favor of a proposal that homes in water
catchment areas be built on stilts.
The proposal, from South Jakarta Mayor Pardjoko, was among
other suggestions to help preserve water catchment areas.
"But the municipality should serve as an example and build its
offices on stilts" in such areas, Sarwono said.
Locations in the mayoralty have been designated as the city's
main water catchment areas. However, given the relatively cooler
climate, they are also favorite sites for residential areas.
Sarwono had earlier addressed a seminar, which was held by the
mayoralty, on preserving South Jakarta as a water catchment area.
Sarwono also urged that more information be given to residents
on the need to build more water catchment wells.
Given the decreasing amount of water catchment areas, the
mayor said houses planned for construction on plots of less than
500 square meters should be built on stilts.
The districts of Jagakarsa, part of Cilandak and a part of
Pasar Minggu, all in South Jakarta, are particularly designated
for water catchment areas. The current rule states that building
is allowed on a maximum of 20 percent of the plots in the
districts. In order for a building permit to be issued, a plot
must be a minimum of 500 square meters.
A further decrease in water catchment areas in South Jakarta
is also indicated by only two remaining natural ponds, the Mangga
Bolong and Babakan ponds.
Pardjoko, Sarwono added, could easily secure support from
high-ranking residents on policies to preserve water catchments,
as "most ministers live in South Jakarta".
Pardjoko had also proposed that the city change rules on
building limitations in water catchment areas.
But Pardjoko said given the increasing price of land,
violations were likely to become rampant because many residents
had smaller-sized plots. More buildings will be found without
building permits, he said.
A way out of this problem, he said, would be to make mandatory
the provision of collective areas for groundwater preservation.
He said this was suggested six months ago to the municipality,
which is working on the idea.
The central government or the municipality, Pardjoko said,
could buy the necessary plots from residents, but he acknowledged
the source of funds might be a problem.
Deputy Governor for Developmental Affairs, Tb.M. Rais, said in
his address that a maximum of 35 percent, or 800 million cubic
meters of annual rainfall, enters into the ground. From this
figure, he said the city's annual groundwater potential is around
77 million cubic meters per year.
As the safe limit for groundwater use is up to 70 percent, or
48 million cubic meters per year, Rais reiterated warnings that
the intake has become critical. The city-owned water company,
PDAM Jaya, has only catered to 48 percent of homes in Jakarta.
(anr)