Jakarta has started to renovate 6.9 kilometers of sidewalks along the city’s main thoroughfares of Jl. Sudirman and Jl. MH Thamrin, expanding the pathways to 10 to 12 meters wide and equipping them with modern amenities.

Renovations have so far stretched from Senayan in South Jakarta to the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Central Jakarta, with completed sections made available to the public late last year.

The city administration is also speeding up the construction of 10 cultural centers on sidewalks situated near public transportation stations.

The concept was created by Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan who said these areas would be dedicated to art and cultural performances to entertain pedestrians.

Construction of these cultural centers kicked off in March 2010 and is expected to be completed by the end of July, according to Riri Asnita, head of the Bina Marga road agency’s road facilities and utility planning division.

She explained that the city wanted to show Jakartans that sidewalks could provide pedestrians with a safe and entertaining walking experience.

“Pedestrians might be reluctant to walk if the sidewalks were empty. The cultural centers will give them a more lively experience,” she told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

Riri added that these areas also aimed to encourage workers to shift from using their private vehicles to taking public transportation.

While the construction and management of the thoroughfare’s sidewalks are under Bina Marga’s supervision, street performances will be managed by the Jakarta Tourism Agency.

Planned cultural centers will be located near Panin Bank Tower, fX Sudirman shopping mall, Atma Jaya University, the BNI 46 building, Dukuh Atas Station and at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle. Another four will be situated under the Semanggi Interchange.

The largest will be at Dukuh Atas Station, the construction of which is already underway.

The sidewalk renovation project is being financed by the proceeds from floor area ration (KLB) violation payments of private companies PT Mitra Panca Persada and PT Keppel Land.

City-owned MRT operator PT MRT Jakarta is also involved, particularly for sidewalks in the Dukuh Atas area.

The only cultural center to be given a name so far is the one by fX Sudirman. Called Musik Tepi Barat (Westside Music), it has already started to feature street performances.

The concept has earned both praise and criticism from Jakartans.

University student Fajar Ramadan, for example, said the colorful sidewalks and performances were an attractive addition to the capital’s main business area. But Pedestrian Coalition head Alfred Sitorus argued that it would do little to promote walking.

“What pedestrians actually need are sidewalks. The cultural centers are only unnecessary decorative additions,” he told the Post, adding that the city administration must also renovate sidewalks located in other parts of Jakarta as they are damaged, uneven and occupied by street vendors or used as illegal parking spots.

Trisakti University urban analyst Nirwono Joga applauded the idea of cultural centers on sidewalks but echoed Alfred’s sentiments by questioning the choice of their location.

“The idea is good, but it’s not relevant to Jakarta’s current conditions. Are people willing to spend a long time watching street performers busking after a full day of work?” he told the Post, pointing out that air pollution was another huge issue plaguing the capital.

Nirwono also expressed concerns that the cultural centers would instead attract street hawkers who might disrupt public order. (das)

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