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or decades, residents of community unit (RW) 01 in Babakan subdistrict in Tangerang, Banten, conceded to the fact that their neighborhoods were dirty and unlivable. But strong collective will to change that perception has brought them to where they are now; an award-winning kampung that attracts foreign tourists. The area has every reason to be on the radar. It is located at the center of the city and is just a few meters away from the Cisadane River, the largest river in the province, making it visible to any passerby.

The unhealthy lifestyle of its residents in the past put their lives at risk, with many, including children, suffering from various diseases, said RW head Mochammad Kholik, 56.

“We were always looked down on and our young people struggled to earn a living because of the bad public perception,” he said, noting that Tangerang is an industrial city, home to many multinational companies.

Aiming at altering the bad image, the residents began an initiative to prove their critics wrong. They came to the conclusion that the easiest way to draw people’s attention was to make their kampung colorful. They teamed up with artists to paint every wall in the kampung in December 2016.

They branded the area kampung bekelir, which originates from a Sundanese word that means colorful.

“After that, the government stepped in and started to give us attention. Paving blocks were laid in our alleys so that they no longer become muddy. Trash bins were also made available in every corner,” Kholik said, adding that the residents gradually began to share a mutual commitment to changing their behavior.

“We keep reminding one another to keep our neighborhood clean. Ultimately we won the PHBS [clean and healthy living behavior] award from the city administration last year,” he said.

Since receiving the award, various companies, both private and state-owned, started to implement their corporate social responsibility programs in the kampung, including a paint company that provided paint worth Rp 2 billion (US$134,113) to beautify the area, which contains 392 households.

State-run firms have also provided free health checkups to the residents.

The kampung is indeed colorful, particularly when seen from above. Each of the alley’s walls are painted with various images, such as trees, animals and pictures that depict the daily lives of residents.

Charging stations have also been made available in several corners, where young people now gather.

The residents also created spaces to grow hydroponic vegetables and establish waste banks. The efforts, however, have yet see a significant outcome. In a month, the waste bank, for example, only generated Rp 40,000.

“Some of the paintings began to fade but the behavioral changes will last long,” said Kholik, who was born and grew up in the area.

The initiative attracted 700 visitors last year, including foreigners from 18 countries, claimed Abu Sofyan, Babakan subdistrict head.

In the afternoon, the area, which is adjacent to the Cisadane River, transforms into a culinary spot, where locals sell homemade food.

Visitors flock to the area to enjoy their afternoon.

“My earnings have increased since the kampung was overhauled. On weekends, my revenue is around Rp 1.5 million each day,” Said Ela, 32, a shop owner who only goes by one name.

She added, however, that there is still room for improvement in attracting more visitors, including by making the river cleaner.