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nce again, the city is trying to revitalize the Old Town area as it is believed the area could become a prominent tourist destination, particularly if the city addresses the existing problems.

The beginning of the revitalization program was marked by the Fatahillah Fiesta, a three day event that kicked off in Fatahillah Square in West Jakarta on Thursday.

It was good to see the public'€™s enthusiasm during the opening ceremony for the festival, as well as the Jakarta Art Space and Victor Center.

However, what is really important are the next concrete steps taken following the pomp and ceremony of the three-day festival.

We have great hope that the Jakarta Old Town Revitalization Corporation (JOTRC), which is supported by 11 companies including state-owned enterprises, will successfully revive the glory of the old days in the 1.3-square-kilometer Old Town, which boasts dozens of colonial buildings.

In December 2004, then governor Sutiyoso in cooperation with a number of heritage lovers grouped under the Jakarta Old Town Kotaku also launched a similar program, but it seems much of their work will be taken over by the new corporation.

The support by private companies and NGOs is vital for the success of the program because as Governor Joko '€œJokowi'€ Widodo said, countries like China and Russia spent around Rp 3.5 trillion (US$308 million) to revitalize their historical areas before they were able to attract tourists.

The job is more than the renovation of the 85 colonial buildings recorded by JOTRC chairman Lin Che Wei, but also the renovation of infrastructure '€” roads and sidewalks '€” as well the clean up of rivers in the area; all closely related to its unique history.

To ensure the smooth running of the revitalization program, the administration needs to offer incentives to the owners of the historical buildings as well as other residents, thus, their properties will be renovated in line with the city-administration designed program. They have long waited to make use of their idle properties, pending the serious development of the area.

However, unlike the development of new areas, the city must adhere to authenticity and history, including the old functions of buildings and other places. In this way the buildings may act as tools of historical narrative themselves.