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Cemetery needed to prevent flooding
The city administration’s plan to relocate thousands of graves from Menteng Pulo Cemetery in South Jakarta to build a road will cause a reduction of the capital’s green areas, says an urban expert
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The city administration’s plan to relocate thousands of graves from Menteng Pulo Cemetery in South Jakarta to build a road will cause a reduction of the capital’s green areas, says an urban expert.
Urban development observer Nirwono Joga said the cemetery was a vital asset for flood prevention.
“The city administration is not being consistent with its plan to expand the city’s green areas, which can absorb rainwater and help prevent flooding,” Nirwono told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.
“[The administration] should think about handling annual floods instead of building another road.
“Roads tend to encourage people to use cars, therefore adding to air pollution.”
The city parks and burial agency is relocating 3,570 graves to build a road to connect Jl. HR. Rasuna Said and Jl. Casablanca in South Jakarta.
Around 10 percent of the cemetery, or about 10,646 square meters, will be converted into road.
The access road is expected to ease traffic congestion around Jl. Prof. Dr. Satrio and Jl. Casablanca. The two-way road will be 650 meters long and 20 meters wide.
Nirwono said maintaining green space was important for a sustainable and livable city.
“Annual floods in Jakarta indicate the dire need for green areas in the capital, he said. “So, the administration should stick to its target of increasing green space.”
The administration hopes to expand green areas from the existing 9.6 percent to 13.94 percent of Jakarta by 2010.
Over the last two years, it has evicted squatters and vendors at some areas across the capital in order to meet its green space target.
However, many of Jakarta’s green areas have been turned into residential and commercial areas over the last three decades, with the construction of homes, apartments, malls, hotels and office buildings.
These developments have decreased the water catchment area, making the city more flood-prone.
“A cemetery is one of the city’s lungs. It can be both a recreational and educational place. In many cities abroad, cemeteries are tourism destinations,” Nirwono said.
“The problem is many people believe cemeteries are creepy places, with thoughts of mysticism clouding their minds,” he said. “We should chase away this way of thinking.”
The Menteng Pulo, Karet Bivak, Jeruk Purut and Kalibata cemeteries in South Jakarta are some of the city’s well-managed cemeteries.
