Weak law fails preservation projects

Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The lack of strict regulations is rendering the preservation of heritage sites ineffective, because it is not preventing the demolition of protected buildings, an expert says.

Arya Abieta of the Indonesian Architecture Association (IAI) said the existing bylaws on heritage preservation initiatives in the city are weak.

"Because of weak regulations, we can see that many old (protected) buildings are being replaced by new ones. Many new buildings are also being constructed in conservation areas," Arya told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

The government has declared a number of heritage sites preservation areas. Among them are Menteng in Central Jakarta, Condet in East Jakarta, Sunda Kelapa in North Jakarta.

Many colonial houses in Menteng have been demolished. New buildings, such as a residential apartment block and a hospital, have been built on their sites.

Other new buildings built on preserved sites include Bahari Towers in the Sunda Kelapa project area in North Jakarta, and the construction of Omni Batavia Hotel in the old city area in North Jakarta, according to Arya.

"These preservation projects are not effective as the authorities are not ready to anticipate the city's fast growth while the private sector has already started to exploit the lucrative business in those areas," Arya said, at the sidelines of a seminar on planning methods for historical areas.

Himasari Hanan of the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) told the seminar that conservationists should take into account economic aspects in the preservation of old heritage.

Otherwise, the preservation process will fail and protected areas will continue to change in accordance with businessmen's taste.

Preservation projects could present great business opportunities that could bring advantages to people in the surrounding areas.

"In many cases, if the projects are properly conducted, they could improve the local economy, increase living standards and transform the whole region into an active and vibrant area," Himasari added.

She regretted the development of many cities in Indonesia, which had ignored past architectural achievements.

"The disruption of these past achievements has destroyed social cohesion in the urban environment," she said.

Mundardjito of the department of archeology at the University of Indonesia (UI) shared Himasari's view.

"The preservation of cultural heritage should be followed up with efforts based on sustainable development," Mundardjito said.