Wider sidewalks could attract more vendors

Wider sidewalks could attract more vendors

Leony Aurora, Jakarta

The city administration's plan to widen sidewalks along Jakarta's
main thoroughfares has raised concerns among residents that the
extra space will only encourage vendors to set up sidewalk stalls
and motorcyclists to ride along the pavement.

Kasijan, an employee with city market operator PD Pasar Jaya,
whose office is near Sudirman railway station in Central Jakarta,
told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday that he thought the sidewalk in
front of the station should remain one-meter wide.

"Any more space would attract vendors," he said. "Just look at
Tanah Abang or Senen (both in Central Jakarta). They have wide
sidewalks but people can't walk on them due to the vendors."

The 53-year-old man suggested that the administration upgrade
sidewalks instead, as many of the pavement blocks were broken.

Another resident, Masyuri, concurred with Kasijan.

"I'm used to the sidewalk being this wide," said the 40-year-
old security guard. "Sometimes I bump into pedestrians coming
from the other direction. Either I wait for them to pass, or I
walk on the road, which is rather scary sometimes."

The administration started its sidewalk rejuvenation and
widening project worth Rp 10 billion (US$1.09) along Jl. Thamrin,
Central Jakarta, in May. By the end of December, most of the
1.5-kilometer main road should have walkways as wide as six
meters.

The next phase of the plan concerns Jl. Sudirman, which will
have eight-meter-wide sidewalks. That phase is slated to commence
in 2005.

"It's great that the pavement on Jl. Sudirman will be wider,"
said Anggraeni, who works for a private bank in the area. "But...
more motorcyclists will use it, won't they?"

Based on her experience, motorcyclists who are trapped in
traffic jams -- a common experience during rush hour -- often
ride along the sidewalk.

"They often nudge pedestrians as they whiz by," she added.

Experts have often said the administration should upgrade
existing sidewalks before tackling more ambitious beautification
projects.

Sidewalks should be clear of vendors, parked cars, and ojek
(motorcycle taxi) drivers waiting for customers. Plants, growing
in front of buildings as decoration, often take up so much space
that people find it difficult to pass by.

The City Parks Agency, which oversees the Thamrin and Sudirman
projects, said it would place patrolling officers along the
thoroughfares to prevent the misuse of sidewalks. The City Public
Order Office and the police have also agreed to up their guard in
the area.

"I've heard that there will be more police on the road," said
Anggraeni. "Hopefully, the street (Sudirman) will better
accommodate pedestrians."