Editorial: Imitating Orchard Road

Sat, 05/17/2008 11:16 AM  |  Opinion

Many people were amused when Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo insisted that the City authorities should not duplicate the Singapore icon, Orchard Road, in developing the Mega Kuningan area.

The private developers who would spend the most on the extravaganza shopping center to-be, meanwhile, have publicly cited the Orchard Road model to promote the mega project.

So why is the governor so ashamed about imitating one of our neighbors successes?

Very few, if any, Indonesians who have experienced the comforts Orchard Road has to offer pedestrians and shoppers, have not been impressed with Singapore's trademark shopping district.

"We will not copy (Orchard Road), it is just an example," Detik.com quoted the governor saying.

And this is probably true, considering that developers will only be able to imitate the physical appearance of the road. But Orchard Road's success stems not only from its generous allocation of pedestrian areas. It also, more broadly, comes from the safety and security which can be found there, like freedom from beggars and pickpockets, to mention a few examples.

And does Jakarta really need new shopping centers when there are plenty of other shopping facilities across the city, which could be developed to become prominent shopping destinations?

The governor should also think much more deeply about developing commercial facilities along a 1.6 kilometer stretch of Jl. Dr. Satrio in Kuningan, South Jakarta, amid serious concerns of a shortage of green and open spaces throughout the city.

Jakartans now have to suffer from the impacts of major environmental damage -- including worsening floods, land subsidence and water shortages -- due to the past mistakes of excessive "conversion" (of open space) to commercial facilities, housing and other urban facilities.

Over the last three decades, the city has lost the majority of its green spaces -- including wetlands, swamp areas and lakes -- to the greedy use of land through violations of spatial regulations. In the 70s, green space covered nearly 70 percent of the total Jakarta area of some 650 square kilometers, but now comprises less than 9 percent.

As such, developing another large shopping centre and other commercial facilities in an area whose surroundings are already crowded with similar facilities (including Ambassador Mall, Ratu Plaza, Plaza Semanggi, Plaza Senayan, Senayan City, Plaza Indonesia and Grand Indonesia) is questionable.

The plan to develop the Jl. Dr. Satrio area was first revealed in late 90s, in an attempt to affirm Jakarta's status as the largest shopping destination in Southeast Asia.

Besides modern shopping facilities, the area would be provided with more apartments, hotels and office blocks. The road would be equipped with 10-meter wide sidewalks and a flyover.

There is nothing wrong with the idea of modernizing Jakarta's shopping facilities to boost the arrivals of both local and foreign tourists, and the city has huge potential for such endeavors.

The question is, however, why doesn't the city focus on improving the shopping facilities that are already here, rather than introducing a new project?

The city has numerous modern and great shopping facilities to offer, which could be made more attractive by simply polishing the surroundings.

Just take Tanah Abang market in Central Jakarta for example. The renovation of the largest textile area in Southeast Asia was kicked off by Fauzi's predecessor, Sutiyoso, who had managed to replace one of five old shopping blocks.

According to the master plan, a new 39,300-square meter Tanah Abang market with Middle Eastern architecture would completely replace the old market. Following Sutiyoso's departure and with one of five blocks complete, the fate of the project is now uncertain.

And not just Tanah Abang, there are numerous other shopping areas in Jakarta which could be developed to become more prominent shopping destinations. Two modern shopping belts in North Jakarta, Mangga Dua and Kelapa Gading, are examples.

The city administration needs only to improve urban facilities in areas surrounding shopping districts, by renovating sidewalks and improving public transportation so that it connects these areas with other parts of the city. Such efforts would make these places more accessible and appealing.

At present, the city has at least 50 shopping malls, excluding some 25 others in Greater Jakarta. Meanwhile, according to data from the Indonesian Property Watch, there are some 50,000 shops which remain unoccupied across the city.

Therefore, the city administration should prioritize supporting existing property, rather than developing new commercial areas at city environment and land owners expense.

We really hope the city administration learns from its past mistakes, when it so readily issued building permits for commercial areas without considering the existing spatial regulations.

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