Jakarta to host World Town Planning Day

Thu, 11/05/2009 12:05 PM  |  City

As the Jakarta administration finalizes its deliberations on new city spatial plans, the capital will host the second national celebration of World Town Planning Day 2009 this weekend with exhibitions, competitions, and other activities.

Public Works Ministry spatial planning director, Imam Santoso Erwani, said while the world had been celebrating the Town Planning Day for 60 years, Indonesia had only been doing so for two years following the enactment of the 2007 Spatial Planning Law.

"We still have a lot of work to do. In the next five to six years, we have to actively implement the law. We have to ensure all relevant parties take it into account during the implementation *of town planning*." he said to reporters at the Public Works Ministry.

After the passing of the law in 2007, only four cities and 10 regencies have stipulated bylaws on their new spatial plans in line with the national law. More than 80 regencies and 15 cities, including Jakarta, have yet to revise their spatial plans, according to data from the ministry, Imam said.

According to the spatial planning law, local administrations are required to complete revisions on their spatial plans by 2010.

Imam said he hoped that every regency and city in the country would follow the guidelines set up in the spatial planning law, which includes the allocation of 30 percent of urban space for open green areas.

Currently, Jakarta allocates less than 10 percent to green areas.

"While it seems difficult to implement the allocation of 30 percent of urban areas to green areas, local administrations can work with individuals and the businesses to reach the target through an incentive scheme. The design of an interesting incentive scheme may be useful for the administration," Imam said.

The Public Works Ministry, cooperating with various civil groups such as the Association of Indonesian Architects (IAI) for World Town Planning Day, held competitions to increase public participation in town planning.

The public was invited to submit ideas for sustainable city planning. Imam said the Public Works Ministry would make award those proposing the winning idea this weekend.

"The award won't signal the end of the public's participation, because there should be follow up action. We will help the winner implement their winning idea in 2010," he said.

Another competition organized by IAI called for the public to transform idle land in the city into public spaces. Awards for the best journalistic work on spatial planning will also be given out this weekend.

A forum will be established by individuals and institutions concerned about developing a sustainable city as a result of a declaration on sustainable urban development.

Exhibitions on spatial planning by government institutions, associations, universities and the business sector will be presented at the West Plaza of Bung Karno Sports Stadium in Senayan, South Jakarta.

The event will include cycling tours, Lego building competitions, bands, and the traditional Reog Ponorogo dance.

- JP/Prodita Sabarini

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John Edwards (not verified), Jakarta — Mon, 11/09/2009 - 1:31pm

It is sadly ironic that Jakarta is hosting World Planning Day. Hardly a week goes by without a news story illustrating the almost total lack of planning and foresight shown by Jakarta's municipal leaders. Sea water floods in North Jakarta are becoming more frequent and damaging. Air pollution, noise pollution and water pollution continue to increase unchecked. Garbage litters every street and clogs every canal. Lack of adequate sewage treatment means more disease and death from contaminated groundwater. Traffic congestion is reaching a critical state and still 5000 more vehicles a week cram into Jakarta's narrow streets. Though it rains every single year, it always seems to take our leaders by surprise that floods occur. And now we are told there is not adequate power to meet Jakarta's present needs (nevermind its future demands) and the situation won't be rectified for a couple of years--- which means, as we all know, never. Even if Jakartans swallow bi-weekly or even daily power blackouts with their typical patience and good humour, it will make the city a more stressful place, decrease quality of life, and disrupt businesses both big and small. If there's to be a change it has to begin with a new mindset. The "business as usual" idea that nothing is a problem until it's a complete disaster has to be eradicated from the thinking of Jakarta's governors. There may not be quick fixes, but there are solutions and examples to follow from other cities dealing with the same problems. Lack of money? What is more important to the country than a thriving, vibrant capitol city? Right now Jakarta teeters on the brink of dysfunction, but it doesn't have to turn into a disaster. Let's start thinking ahead.

Samiono Soetrasno (not verified), Jakarta — Fri, 11/06/2009 - 1:53am

Hopefully, our town growing better and better. To decrease the slum area but to increase the green open space in developing the cities as a whole.

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