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Jakarta Post

26 gas stations converted into parks

Between November 2009 and March 2014 the Jakarta administration has converted 26 out of 27 plots of land previously occupied by gas stations into green areas

The Jakarta Post
Jakarta
Wed, March 26, 2014

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26 gas stations converted into parks

B

etween November 2009 and March 2014 the Jakarta administration has converted 26 out of 27 plots of land previously occupied by gas stations into green areas.

Jakarta Parks and Cemeteries Agency parks unit head Fajar Sauri said the 26 plots of land had been replanted with trees and grass to create more green areas in the city.

The areas were made into two types of parks, which Fajar described as '€œactive'€ and '€œpassive'€.

'€œActive parks are built with the intention of accommodating public visitors, so they have benches and outdoor playground equipment. Passive parks are traffic islands that provide a greener atmosphere and are not originally intended for public use,'€ Fajar told The Jakarta Post.

Examples of active parks include Taman Menteng and Taman Tanah Abang Timur in Central Jakarta, while passive parks include Taman Semanggi, Central Jakarta, and Taman Suryo, in South Jakarta.

He added that in terms of park management and funding, several private companies had already shown interest in some of the refurbished lands, as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR)program.

'€œBut most of their concepts focus more on the business side of the parks. Sometimes their ideas do not match our interests,'€ he said.

Fajar revealed that the only former gas station the administration had not yet replanted was on Jl. Pakubuwono in South Jakarta, which will be done this year.

The government aims to '€œgreenify'€ 50 hectares of land annually, said Fajar, and around 9.6 percent of the annual target had been completed so far this year.

The status of whether a park is built as an '€œactive'€ or '€œpassive'€ park depends on its size and location.

Taman Tanah Abang Timur was converted from a gas station into an '€œactive'€ park more than two years ago, with a pedestrian footpath and a few benches available for
public use.

The closing of the 27 former gas stations and the seizure of their land was carried out by the Jakarta administration to increase the number of green areas in the city.

A number of the gas stations were located on government land, some illegally, and in between busy
roads. (dyl)

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