Yogyakarta 'could be world heritage city'

Yogyakarta 'could be world heritage city'

Sri Wahyuni, Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta is known by many titles, from "the ancient city" to "the city of gudeg" (sliced young jackfruit cooked in coconut milk). As well as being a city of culture, of students, of tourism, and of batik, it is also the most active center in the country for the arts.

Both domestic and international visitors enjoy Yogya for the variety of activities it offers.

Major cultural areas include the kraton (palace), Jeron Beteng, Kotagede, Kotabaru, Sagan, Pakualaman, Jetis, Malioboro, and Pecinan.

The city has much to entice history buffs or those interested in architecture. There are fine examples of colonial, traditional and Javanese palace architecture, with styles taken from the Portuguese, the Dutch and Batavia. The Phoenix building on Jl. Sudirman, the palaces and an old cigar factory, P.D. Taru Martani, in Baciro region -- which is owned by the local administration -- are among popular attractions.

For Yogyakarta to become a world heritage city, such valuable buildings must be managed with professionalism and expertise. In 2004, the World Monument Fund (WMF) included Taman Sari (Water Castle), which was once enjoyed by the sultan and his entourage, on it list of 100 most-endangered heritage sites.

Consequently, the Water Castle, which was once a park of palaces, pools and waterways, is now under restoration.

"Yogyakarta has become relatively well-known internationally as a heritage city," chairwoman of the Indonesian Heritage Conservation Network (JPPI) Laretna T. Adishakti told a panel on heritage, conservation and economic development at Novotel Yogyakarta hotel on Wednesday.

Held in observance of The Jakarta Post's 21st anniversary and World Heritage Day, the discussion was jointly organized by the Post, Jogja Heritage Society, JPPI, the Center for Heritage Conservation (CHC) of Gadjah Mada University's School of Engineering, P.D. Taru Martani, and the Institute of Public Policy and Economic Studies (Inspect).

Speakers at the event included Sri Edi Swasono of Bappenas, economist A.R. Karseno of Gadjah Mada University, and the president director of P.D. Taru Martani, Bimo N. Wartono. Bakdi Setiawan, the chairman of Gadjah Mada's Center for Environmental Studies, moderated the discussion.

Laretna, or Sita as she is popularly called, said the fact that Yogyakarta is the only Indonesian city among the 61 cities of 48 countries grouped in the Kyoto-based League of Historical Cities, further pointed to the international reputation of the city.

"While Yogya has achieved international recognition, its own people or government are slow to appreciate its historical significance," said Sita.

To achieve world heritage status, the participation of all stakeholders in management and development -- including local people, local government, and the business community -- would be ideal, she said.

"If everything goes smoothly, the mayor of Yogyakarta, Herry Zudianto, will represent the country at the world's mayors round table meeting. The meeting, which will focus on cultural heritage, will be jointly held by the South Korean government and UNESCO in South Korea in June," Sita said.

Various community groups, according to Sita, have already been working toward the formal recognition of Yogyakarta as a heritage city.

The JHS and the CHC, for example, worked side-by-side to implement the Conservation Program for Heritage Regions in Jeron Beteng, she said.

The program, which is sponsored by the American Express Foundation, Aus-Heritage, and the Indonesian-Australia Institute, was initiated in 1999 with the publication of a guide map. It aims to make the locals self-reliant through the management of heritage sites and to bring those responsible for managing the sites together.

"The initiative of the community is simply not enough. A comprehensive, sustainable development program that combines people-centered management, inter-disciplinary collaboration, and legal and financial aspects is required,

"It's fortunate that UNESCO has issued models of cooperation that the city can adopt. Examples are provided of the fiscal management of heritage conservation, investment in the tourist industry and community education and skill training. We are also looking to build communications between tourism promoters, property developers, local residents, and heritage conservationists.

"This is a great challenge, but the methods, knowledge and equipment to meet it are available," said Sita.

She is convinced that the cooperation of all stakeholders would pave the way for the city to be listed as a world heritage site. As the cultural heart of Java, Sita says that Yogyakarta has everything it needs to become one.