Almost three months since a deal was reached to beautify the area beneath a toll road overpass in Penjaringan, North Jakarta, nothing has been done by the local administration.
In October last year, a memorandum of understanding was signed by local residents, the North Jakarta municipal administration, the Public Work Ministry, toll road operator Citra Marga Nusaphala Persada and other stakeholders to use the space for public activities.
However, the municipality has not yet approved a proposal by residents to use the space for recreation, community and educational activities.
Sofyan Jaya, chairman of the Development of Community Under Elevated Road Group (KMPKT), said local residents were trying to work with the administration and the turnpike operator.
"The space beneath the overpass is now occupied by homeless people and street vendors," he said.
"There's garbage piling up there and crime is high in the area."
Sofyan added the group also wanted to beautify the space because they wanted "a clean and safe neighborhood for our children".
In early October 2008, local residents came up with beautification proposals for the space, in a public planning project funded by US-based NGO Mercy Corps.
The ideas included a public park, sports area, children's playground and community meeting places.
Residents also promised not to damage the overpass pillars or construct any buildings in the space.
North Jakarta Spatial Planning Agency official Heri said recently at a meeting with toll road stakeholders that the proposed beautification was illegal, since public activities were forbidden beneath elevated toll roads.
"I feel we're being forced to make a mistake," he said.
He also questioned the KMPKT's role in representing the Penjaringan community.
"Public-interest decisions must be made by the community unit, not by some unknown group," Heri said.
Yuliadi, the municipality's economic and development assistant, said he agreed with the residents' plan and expected the program to serve as a pilot project that could later be adopted across North Jakarta.
However, he pointed out the administration still needed more details before it could go ahead with the project.
"We need to know what kind of public activity is allowed, who'll be responsible for managing the public space, who'll pay for the establishment of the necessary facilities, and other such details," Yuliadi said. (mrs)
