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re you bored with going to the mall every weekend? A park probably comes to mind when thinking of a place to relax instead of an air-conditioned mall. But what if the park we have in mind is fenced in, dark, void of park benches, is low on upkeep or has an admission fee? Sadly, this is the case with many parks in Jakarta.

Take the National Monument (Monas) Park as an example. Although it is much less chaotic now that unlicensed hawkers have been removed, Monas still causes inconveniences to visitors.

Closing all gates except two at the southwestern and northwestern corners of the park does not encourage walking from one side to the other and is insufficient for the 80-hectare park.

It makes getting in and out of the fully fenced-in park difficult, even though the measure is clearly aimed at discouraging antisocial behavior and littering.

Opening up Monas would provide a connection between the park and surrounding buildings, as well as make rigorous maintenance and law enforcement a necessity.

Monas represents most public parks in Jakarta, gated and guarded to a degree that erodes its openness. Cities of walls and fences do not strengthen the concept of citizenship but rather contribute to its corrosion, according to Teresa Caldeira, a professor of city and regional planning at the University of California Berkeley.

Some parks, like Cattleya Park in Tomang, West Jakarta, and Menteng Park, Central Jakarta, still struggle with safety, antisocial behavior and sexual activities.

Poor lighting, secluded locations and obscure design generate blind spots that enable such issues. Furthermore, many Jakartans, especially youths, hang out on overpasses due to a lack of public space and limited access to parks.

However, this problem cannot be left neglected or only minimal efforts made to resolve it. People'€™s behavior toward public space will not change if there is no effort to provide appropriate ones.

Thus removing fences and creating more spaces and parks (preferably inclusive ones) would foster quality living and educate citizens.

Encouragingly, other parks have taken the lead and offer a retreat from the hustle and bustle of the capital. Suropati Park and Situ Lembang in Menteng as well as Ayodya Park in South Jakarta are proven and well-known examples of parks that embrace the concept of being open, meaning both are accessible and frequently visited.

Moreover, they are safe and well-looked after.

If you live in the southern part of Jakarta, you are probably familiar with or at least know of Ayodya Park. It is located in the lush Kebayoran Baru district across from Langsat Park. The park has become a place for people to unwind after a busy day or week.

A well-maintained pond, with a row of pillars crossing through and bisecting the park, and well-lit seating areas make Ayodya Park an urban oasis. Ample seating and wi-fi connection could be other
reasons for people to remain longer in the park.

Unfortunately, the erstwhile flower and fish stalls were relocated slightly unfairly as they were moved to the Radio Dalam area, making access difficult. Street hawkers and vendors should also get a better place rather than on the park'€™s perimeter.

[...] removing fences and creating more spaces and parks [...] would foster quality living and educate citizens.

Similarly in North Jakarta on the edge of Pluit Dam is Pluit Park, which raises the bar for new open space in Jakarta.

Although the park feels hot as most of the trees are young and do not offer much shade, the well-kept park is a favorite among locals and acts more than just a public open space.

Pluit Dam can become a catalyst for further improvement and regeneration of the area in its vicinity, such as by dealing with water quality and the squatters on its eastern periphery.

A affordable housing program for the poor is a sign of the ongoing rejuvenation of the area.

Actively making over the city, Jakarta introduced the integrated child-friendly public space (RPTRA) earlier this year. It is the most recent addition to open space in Jakarta. There are now six RPTRAs, one in each administrative region, of the 150 planned to make Jakarta convivial for children.

Boasting complete community facilities, from health to sport to sociocultural ones for neighborhoods in the vicinity, these parks seem ideal for the future of Jakarta. But why aren'€™t all parks in Jakarta made integrated and child-friendly?

And how about the elderly and disabled people? Their needs are different from those of children.

The transformation into public parks and the creation of new open spaces are like acupuncture for urban areas.

The spaces, the '€œneedles'€, are small changes and improvements that enhance and add vibrancy to the city. But a few pinpricks are not enough. More is needed to transform the city and people'€™s attitude to public space.

In the near future, Jakarta will need more public spaces '€” plazas, parks and green corridors. Spaces that not only increase in quantity but also quality.

Enrique Penalosa, the former mayor of Bogota, once stated that parks and other pedestrian places were essential to a city'€™s happiness.

If making new ones requires huge efforts, we can start from what we already have and make it better by revamping those under-maintained, uninviting parks and opening up inaccessible public spaces.