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ver the course of the last half-decade, there have been many government- initiated traditional market revitalization projects. Mayestik Market was upgraded three years ago and the Blok A, Senen, Karang Anyar, Benhil and Lontar-Kebon Melati markets are now undergoing major refurbishment or are due to begin major refurbishment.

From among these city markets, Pasar Senen has huge potential. It could be transformed into a place that is both a vibrant commercial and business district, one that is safe, easy to walk around. Although the Senen sub-district has long been associated with crime, prostitution and anti-social behavior, its potential prevails as those activities responsible for creating this aforementioned reputation are centred on the bus terminal, Pasar Senen train station and the markets.

The history of Pasar Senen began in the Dutch colonial era when Justinus Vinck, a Dutch entrepreneur, developed Senen market, to the east of Batavia in 1733. After Indonesian Independence in 1945, Pasar Senen, or Planet Senen as it was called a few decades ago, turned into a slum full of shacks with a high crime rate and mushrooming prostitution.

In 1970, Ali Sadikin, then governor of Jakarta, initiated The Senen Project in hopes of regenerating the dilapidated area. To improve Planet Senen, in addition to the localization of sex workers, a trade center and a youth center were built.

The latter was inaugurated in 1974, now reputed to have produced many artists and poets, including the legendary Benyamin Sueb and Bing Slamet.

Nowadays, there are six market blocks of market; trading areas which sell a wide range of products, from food and clothing to used books and electronic home appliances. However, from the opening day of its first three levels and onward, proper maintenance has been a rare occurrence, causing the building facade, structure and utilities to deteriorate.

The fourth and the fifth levels, the newest addition to the building, host wholesale trade vendors, where small retailers or resellers come to purchace their stock.

Block VI, which sits next to the bus terminal to the north, is a large but under-maintained traditional market and Block III, which was burned down in early 2014, is still under reconstruction, with temporary trading spaces provided for the affected tenants.

To date, although the train station has been renovated and equipped with additional security guards, the overall condition of Pasar Senen is unpleasant, polluted and threatening.

One of the notable experiences of visiting Pasar Senen is that there are motorcycles absolutely everywhere; they spill over to the road and occupy the green passageway and spaces between buildings. A street market opens on nearby Jl. Stasiun Senen on weekdays, making the area even more crowded and congested. Anxiety and insecurity intensify when walking around the area, mainly because it is cramped, chaotic and dark, in some places, especially inside the Block VI traditional market and the bus terminal.

For first timers, the area is difficult to navigate as there is no straight access from the nearby station to the commercial and business center. Actually, there was originally a direct access way, but a 3-meter wall and a car park area now create barriers that separate the train station from the core area.

People coming from the station have to walk a much farther distance to reach the market. Accessing the market from the Transjakarta bus shelter does not prove to be a better alternative; the two shelters, both situated on the road median, are not connected with proper, let alone safe, pedestrian crossings.

Pasar Senen has the advantage in terms of connectivity, accessibility and commercial activities. This is obvious; a train station, a bus terminal and two Transjakarta bus shelters serve the area. No wonder it'€™s always bustling with people, especially during the day when trading activity is at its peak.

However, Pasar Senen definitely needs major changes and upgrades to thoroughly improve and rejuvenate the decaying area. A question arises: What enhancement does Pasar Senen require? And are there enhancement opportunities for the spaces between its buildings?

Besides transit infrastructure, the youth sport center Gelanggang Olahraga Remaja Senen and the nearby performing arts venue Gedung Kesenian Bharata, are the two other catalysts that will encourage the regeneration of this disordered area. The green passageway, currently is a motorcycle parking area, could be the '€œwow factor'€ of Pasar Senen. The revamped and extended passageway would transform into a green pedestrian corridor with commercial activity possible on both sides. It could connect the train station, the trading centre and, possibly, the Atrium Senen shopping mall situated across the Jl. Pasar Senen road as well.

Moreover, the war memorial and its barren plaza should be made equally inviting with more vegetation, public amenities and water features. The redesigned plaza would signify the new, regenerated Pasar Senen. Both corridor and plaza could also be re-designed with an aim to provide more space for people and to draw them into the Pasar Senen area. Further improvement to the area could include renovating the cinema building across from the trade center and the corner buildings at the junction.

The area will always be a busy trading center as it has been opperating as such for almost three centuries and. possessing all those diamonds in the rough, Pasar Senen could be both a successful regional trading center as well as a prime example of a Transit Oriented Development (TOD) area, in Jakarta.

Resolving the problems and maximizing potential goes beyond urban design. The traders and how they conduct trading activities should also be a main focus, along with major physical upgrades and urban design.

Government intervention, including a concerted effort shown in these areas, is crucial and it is required to kick-start the regeneration program for Pasar Senen, if there is one planned.