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Weekly 5: From the tony to slums, Jakarta has it all
Although many Jakartans regularly suffer the notorious traffic jams and flooding, they live in a city that encompasses five municipalities, each of which has its own characteristics both social and environmental, which make the capital city far from boring
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(JP/Ricky Yudhistira)" border="0" height="349" width="232">(JP/Ricky Yudhistira)Located near the sea, North Jakarta is the busiest municipality with the port, Tanjung Priok, located within it. North Jakarta is also prone to severe flooding due to its coastal location. However, many Jakartans believe that setting up businesses or living in the area is promising as it is located at the head of the dragon â the only mythical animal in the Chinese zodiac, which represents power, health and energy. People of Chinese descent believe the area has good
feng shui.
Some believe that the head of the dragon, the best position in which to do business, lays in Pluit or Kelapa Gading in North Jakarta.
The Bronx
East Jakarta is the largest and most densely populated municipality. It is home to many slum areas, including Cakung, Klender and Kampung Melayu. National Commission for Child Protection (Komnas Anak) head Arist Merdeka Sirait says this municipality is also home to high rates of sexual abuse against children.
Despite its poor record in child safety, this municipality is home to Rawa Bening Market, the largest gemstone market in Southeast Asia, as well as various industrial estates, such as in Ciracas and Pulo
Gadung.
Old Town
lthough many Jakartans regularly suffer the notorious traffic jams and flooding, they live in a city that encompasses five municipalities, each of which has its own characteristics both social and environmental, which make the capital city far from boring. (JP/Ricky Yudhistira)
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Here are Jakarta's five municipalities and their intrinsic characteristics.
The historic area
Located in the heart of the capital, Central Jakarta serves as the center of everything ranging from civic, political, business to cultural matters.
It is home to the State Palace and City Hall as well as a number of embassies, office buildings and cultural centers, such as Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) and the Jakarta Playhouse (GKJ). As it contains various elements, congestion along its main thoroughfares ' Jl. Sudirman and Jl. MH Thamrin ' can be unbearable during rush hour.
Massive developments initiated during Jakarta's early years, and the skyrocketing prices of land since then, have forced many Jakartans, including the city's native Betawi people, to move to the suburbs.
According to the 2010 census, of the five municipalities, Central Jakarta had the highest density, with 18,676 people per square kilometer. The municipality as a whole, however, was home to the fewest number of people, with a population of only 898,883 compared to East Jakarta's 2.6 million people.
Menteng is probably the only historic residential area that still provides a glimpse of decent city life with its many open spaces, its location in the heart of the capital city and the provision of good public facilities.
Built in the 1920s by the Burgerlijke Openbare Werken, the Dutch forerunner of the Public Works Agency, this elite residential area was the first new area built based on the original city-building regulation.
Dragon's head
Located near the sea, North Jakarta is the busiest municipality with the port, Tanjung Priok, located within it. North Jakarta is also prone to severe flooding due to its coastal location. However, many Jakartans believe that setting up businesses or living in the area is promising as it is located at the head of the dragon ' the only mythical animal in the Chinese zodiac, which represents power, health and energy. People of Chinese descent believe the area has good
feng shui.
Some believe that the head of the dragon, the best position in which to do business, lays in Pluit or Kelapa Gading in North Jakarta.
The Bronx
East Jakarta is the largest and most densely populated municipality. It is home to many slum areas, including Cakung, Klender and Kampung Melayu. National Commission for Child Protection (Komnas Anak) head Arist Merdeka Sirait says this municipality is also home to high rates of sexual abuse against children.
Despite its poor record in child safety, this municipality is home to Rawa Bening Market, the largest gemstone market in Southeast Asia, as well as various industrial estates, such as in Ciracas and Pulo
Gadung.
Old Town
Strong Chinese cultural heritage in the form of culinary delights and entertaining nightlife can be found in the Old Town in West Jakarta.
Small-scale traders view this municipality as a haven. It has a few legendary shopping centers, including Glodok, a center for electronic goods; Asemka Market, which offers wholesale products ranging from accessories and cosmetics to children's toys, and Rawa Belong flower market, which is the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia.
The tony area
Where does Jakarta's middle class hang out? Try South Jakarta. From Pondok Indah and Melawai to Kemang, we can easily spot trendy people flocking to cafés, beer gardens and nightclubs. Most of Jakarta's high-end malls like Gandaria City and Pondok Indah mall, as well as popular residential areas such as Kebayoran Baru and Pondok Indah are also located in South Jakarta.
Legendary rock band Dewa 19 even wrote a song about the municipality, titled 'Selatan Jakarta', which waxed lyrical about the colorful South Jakarta. ' JP
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