Riverside gathering: Residents living near the East Flood Canal (KBT) gather near the canal bank in Duren Sawit district, East Jakarta, to enjoy food sold by street vendors
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In reference to 'Canal to become haven for visitors, foodies,' (The Jakarta Post, July 27).
I love this idea. Make sure to build sidewalks all the way along the riverside. These sidewalks must be properly designed, clean, safe from criminals and sufficiently wide. With a rest area every 100 meters with chairs under the shade of trees and many small warung (kiosk) selling soft drinks, snacks and light food.
It also needs parks in every block complete with various plantations and big trees. This will certainly create a beautiful and peaceful environment that will in turn invite insects, birds and butterflies to settle there.
In 1960s, this combination of parks, sidewalks and rivers was once available in Kayoon, an area of my home town of Surabaya where I used to play with my mom, brothers and sisters and Bruno, my naughty dog who was busy chasing birds and butterflies.
I believe the sound of birds will be really entertaining and create a peaceful atmosphere in the middle of the busy, hot, dusty and congested roads of big cities.
All these facilities used to be available in many parts of Surabaya before the 1960s.
Robby Kaware
Jakarta
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