As many city administration's plans for new landscapes and public buildings create friction with local residents, NGOs and other civil societies must play a more important role in facilitating dialogue between both parties to prevent potential conflicts, an architecture expert says.

Farrokh Derakhshani, director of the Switzerland-based Aga Khan Award for Architecture, said although negotiations between an administration and its constituents might have been started long before a building went up, independent institutions were still needed to apply pressure and anticipate deadlocks.

"There should be a strong civil society that ensures such sensitive discussions are manageable," Derakshani said Monday at a public lecture held by the University of Indonesia in Depok, West Java.

NGOs and activists have long complained about the city administration's forceful approach when evicting residents to make room for their planned new buildings.

In January last year, some 850 public order officers demolished hundreds of fish and flower stalls in Jl. Barito, South Jakarta, prior to the construction of the new Ayodhya Park, located just behind the stalls.

The city administration evicted the vendors despite their endorsement of proposals for a new tourist-friendly design for the park and its surroundings.

In August, some 1,400 families were evicted from Bersih, Manusiawi and Wibawa (Clean, Humane and Dignified) Park, known locally as BMW park, located near the Ancol toll road, North Jakarta, as the administration planned to build an international soccer stadium there.

The BMW park eviction turned into a mel*e with scores of public order officials and squatters ending up injured. Ten residents were also arrested.

Meanwhile, some 200 families still refuse to vacate the premises. They have built makeshift shelters in the park and along the nearby railway tracks to replace the homes the administration tore down.

Derakhshani, who visited Indonesia to promote next year's Aga Khan Award, said it was quite common to come across challenges when building urban infrastructure in developing country cities.

"For example, we all agree an Mass Rapid Transit *MRT* project is currently the best solution for traffic in a metropolis, but I have seen some cities failing to run the project mainly due to political problems," Derakhshani, who specializes in contemporary architecture in Muslim societies, said.

He, however, believed collaboration and exchange of ideas between the government, society and other stakeholders would help solve the problems.

"Citizens and civil society have to work together to ensure their government build infrastructure they really need," said Derakhshani, who has been involved with the award since 2002.

Started in 1977, the Aga Khan Award is one of the most prestigious architectural award, aimed at societies in which Muslims have a significant presence.

With a total prize of US$500,000, it is one of the largest architectural award in the world. The award, in its 11th cycle, is given every three years.

To date, Indonesia has won five awards and two honorable mentions. (hwa)

Winners of Aga Khan Award from Indonesia

Kampung Improvement Program, Jakarta (1978-1980)

Pondok Pesantren Pabelan, Magelang, Central Java (1978-1980)

Kampung Kebalen Improvement, Surabaya (honorable mentions) 1984-1986

Sa*d Naum Mosque, Jakarta, Indonesia (honorable mention) 1984-1986

Citra Niaga Urban Development, Samarinda, East Kalimantan (1987-1989)

Kampung Kali Code, Yogyakarta (1990-1992)

Landscaping Integration of the Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Tangerang, Banten (1993-1995)

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