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.