There have been calls for Jakarta to use its history and culture assets to position itself as a global cultural capital. To find new ways to preserve heritage structures in the city, The Jakarta Post's Anissa S. Febrina talked to Indonesian Johannes Widodo, assistant professor at the National University of Singapore's School of Architecture, during the International Conference on Urbanism in Beijing last month. Widodo specializes in urban conservation and heritage preservation.
How do you evaluate the urban preservation efforts made in Jakarta, in terms of the administration's long-term goals, social approach and priority in preserving historical buildings and sites?
As far as I know, urban preservation and conservation efforts in Jakarta are still very weak and sporadic, and most are initiatives from the community, the private sector and non-governmental organizations, such as the JPPI (Indonesian Heritage Preservation Network), which focuses on policy and coordination in heritage conservation; the JOK (Jakarta Old Town, My City), which has a special interest in the revitalization of a block of colonial buildings in Kota; the Green Map movement, which focuses on urban social, cultural and natural environments; the Indonesian Heritage Society, a multinational organization that aims to promote interest in and knowledge of the country's cultural heritage; Sahabat Museum, which organizes appreciation and information tours of museums and heritage sites and mAAN Indonesia (Modern Asian Architecture Network Indonesia), a network of scholars and students who are making systematic and comprehensive inventories of modern architectural and urban heritage sites in a number of Indonesian cities.
This situation is, of course, less than ideal, and is not effective to deal with the fundamental and urgent problems in heritage conservation and preservation that arise in a rapidly developing city like Jakarta.
A concerted effort of consolidation, cooperation and coordination among heritage movements and organizations -- including the authorities -- is urgently needed, if we want to save Jakarta's heritage.
How sustainable is this kind of community movement when it does not actually involve those living in the area? How effective is such a movement in pushing the agenda?
It depends on the political will of the authorities, good will from various parties, and the willingness of the community itself to work together in understanding, conserving, revitalizing and maintaining their own living heritage and environment.
Urbanists and the inhabitants of heritage areas appear to have different perspectives as to what constitutes preservation. What is the best approach in preserving buildings of special architectural and historical interest without coming under the sway of romanticism?
By bringing together all stakeholders, the authorities, investors, heritage organizations and, most importantly, the community in urban conservation, preservation, revitalization and redevelopment. The community and building owners should be empowered, helped and supported -- not victimized or manipulated. Learn from successful community-based conservation and revitalization projects in different countries, such as Taiwan, Vietnam, China and India.
Taking an approach similar to the Green Map movement, universities can arrange for a kind of heritage mapping involving the community itself, thus creating a sense of belonging to the value of the physical remnants around them. Do not take for granted the people who actually live in heritage areas. By involving them, we can create a public movement that has the bargaining power to force the government to do something.
Many preservation efforts are aimed at meeting the growing demand for heritage tourism without improving people's lives. Such an approach has created something more like a simulation of real life rather than life itself. What are some other strategies for helping communities preserve their past?
Tourism should not be a problem if it is well-managed, and integrated into preservation and conservation plans. Good examples have been provided by some of the winners of the UNESCO Asia Pacific Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation, or UNESCO World Heritage cities such as Hoi An in Vietnam, or Vigan in the Philippines (Hoi An ancient town is a Southeast Asian trading port dating back to the 15th century. Its well preserved buildings and street pattern reflect the mixed influences of both indigenous and foreign cultures. The area is still occupied by fishermen, potters and traditional craftsmen. Vigan is a 16th century town planned during the Spanish colonial period in Asia -- Ed.)
Lessons should be learned from failed ""conservation"" projects (such as in Singapore, China and Malaysia).
Jakarta has great potential. People might be more keen to visit Glodok or Kampung Luar Batang, for example, instead of just museums. Nowadays, museums in Jakarta Old Town are finding it difficult to get people interested. If settlement areas like Glodok and Luar Batang were further developed, more people would automatically be interested in coming and experiencing the places.
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