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“Citayam phenomena” marks public demand for inclusive spaces
Recent emergence of youths from Jakarta’s satellite cities idling in crowds to bask in the capital’s downtown glory is a phenomenon experts described as a sign of “public thirst” for more inclusive public spaces.
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Residents take photos with mural painting on Kendal tunnel in Dukuh Atas TOD, Central Jakarta as the background on Dec. 12, 2019. (JP/P.J. Leo)
T
he recent emergence of youths from Jakarta’s satellite cities idling in crowds at some of the capital’s poshest areas is a sign of public thirst for more inclusive public spaces as well as Transit-Oriented Developments (TODs), experts suggest.
The youths in question are colloquially referred to as “ABG Citayam” by Indonesian netizens, and are widely reported to be residents of cities in the Greater Jakarta area.
Mostly congregating on weekends, the youngsters -- dressed in hip attire -- sit around with their friends, enjoying cheap snacks and beverages friendly to their student budget.
Reports have described the crowd to hail mostly from West Java’s Depok and several Bogor districts -- specifically Citayam and Bojonggede -- though some others have detailed Bekasi residents to be part of the mass.
Jakarta downtown area of Thamrin-Sudirman -- which is typically swarmed by the capital’s executives and white-collar workers, and is known colloquially as SCBD -- has now semi-turned into the playground of youngsters with limited budgets eager to express themselves.
Known for their distinctive fashion, the youths are also marked by their fondness for mingling around the area’s Dukuh Atas transit-oriented development (TOD). The TOD includes parks, Sudirman commuter-line-train station, Dukuh Atas BNI MRT station, BNI City airport-train station and Transjakarta Bus Rapid Transit shelters.
The Dukuh Atas Station was Jakarta’s first completed Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) project, first announced in 2017 and later officiated in 2019 as part of Jakarta’s long-awaited MRT line.
