ISSN (Print) : 0974-6846

Indian Journal of Science and Technology, Vol 9(10), DOI: 10.17485/ijst/2016/v9i10/74571, March 2016 ISSN (Online) : 0974-5645

House Typology of Musi River’s Edge in the City of

Palembang, South of Sumatra – Indonesia
Hartanto Budiyuwono*
Department of Architecture of Parahyangan Catholic University, Bandung, Indonesia; budi222002@yahoo.com

Abstract
Background/Objectives: Riverside’s houses have specific traits that created by natural form, such as river’s water level,
and river edges. Developments give rise to problems, namely: How typology building forms that are highly dependent on
the river water. Methods/Statistical Analysis: The method used is a qualitative method, with a descriptive analysis of
the conduct, as well as the study of the relevant literature to gain an understanding of the order of the settlements by the
river. Result: This study found that, typology of the house Musi river bank happens comprised of: home floating on water
that can move because it has no foundation; house floating on water that cannot move because it has a foundation that is
embedded in the soil at the bottom of the river. Type the form space in which occur on the mainland are distinguished at
the height of the face of the conservatory floors corresponding to the status of nobility from the occupant of the House.
While the type of the stage above the water, the type form of space it has the same high floor height, this shows the status
of occupants that is the ordinary society. Conclusion/Application: Musi river settlements into a tourist attraction of the
city, and become cultural preservation and building up to now.

Keywords: House Preservation, Riverside, Typology

1.  Introduction
The river is an urban space that is formal, with a field is
basically in the form of surface water. The urban space is
to be located in the central of the city and an important
role in both directly and indirectly, in terms of growth
and development in the city¹. The river became a primary
morphological element in the tissue formation, and also
serves as the main transportation mean, to connect the
inland centre with the outside world². So can be said the
river was the pulse of the life of an area. In which growth
and development come early and rely on the river. Similar
to the life settlement of the Musi river in Palembang.
Since the era of the kingdom of Sriwijaya in Palembang
ruling in the 7th century BC (Figure 1)³ also in the era of
the Dutch colonial administration (Figure 2)⁴ up to now
(Figure 3)⁵, Musi river is the artery of the economy in
Palembang and South Sumatra Province.
This river divides the Palembang city into two parts,
namely Seberang Ulu and Seberang Ilir, and is the larg-
est river with a length of 750 kilometers and an average
width of 540 meters, the longest reaching 1,350 meters
wide (Figure 4)⁶.
Palembang proclaimed by the President to the 6
Republic of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as
the ‘City of Air Travel’ city like Bangkok in Thailand and
Phnom Penh in Cambodia, on September 27, 2005. And
in 2008 the city of Palembang welcomes tourist visit with
the name ‘Visit Musi 2008’⁷.
Until now, inhabitants have remained settlement flour-
ished in the river of Musi. A form of settlement which has
been there since antiquity, and became a special attrac-
tion for a city of Palembang. Using qualitative methods,
a survey done in relevant books and through residential
typology sat on its edges Musi what happened until now.
2. Characteristic of the Bank of a
Musi River to use as a Building
Generally, the initial development of a city tends to be
­centralized, where the city center is a public space, the

*Author for correspondence

 transportation mean, to connect the inland centre with the outside world². So can be said the
river was the pulse of the life of an area. In which growth and development come early and
rely on the river. Similar to the life settlement of the Musi river in Palembang. Since the era of
the kingdom of Sriwijaya in Palembang ruling in the 7th century BC (figure 1)³ also in the era of
the House Typology
Dutch colonial of Musi
administration River’s
(figure Edge
2)⁴ up to in the3)⁵,City
now (figure Musiofriver
Palembang,
is the artery ofSouth of Sumatra – Indonesia
the economy in Palembang and South Sumatra Province.

its side, as with any form of open space on the river⁹.

The waterfront is a dynamic area, where the land meets
the water body. The meeting area is an area that is fer-
tile and has the potential for community planning and
development. In a larger sense, the waterfront is not only
physically seen directly adjacent to bodies of water, but
Figure 1. An early form of the raft houses is the form of a boat ‘Kajang’ in the era of the Kingsom of ‘Sriwijaya’ 7 also have a connection with the water in the historical
Figure 1.  An early formcentury of theAD.
raft houses is the form of development of the area. Having a separate uniqueness
a boat ‘Kajang’ in the era of the Kingsom of ‘Sriwijaya’ 7 to the development of social society who lives, have eco-
century AD. nomic value, creating public enjoyment of its own, and
become the identity of these regions¹⁰.
1 Palembang has the character as a city of water, Statistical
data from 1990 shows that the natural physical condition
of Palembang
Generally, city, mostly
the initial development of a city tends made up of where
to be centralized, water approxi-
the city center is a
public space, the public space is a functional space⁸. Public space in urban areas is understood
asmately
a space that52.24%¹¹.
is free to use byThis
anyone,can and isbe seenbyfrom
controlled the
the State. many
Public space thelarge
shape
isrivers
stretchedand creeks
as corridors, thatonly
generally arehaveinathe limit city. River
on its side, inanyPalembang
as with form of open space is
on the river⁹. The waterfront is a dynamic area, where the land meets the water body. The
strongly
meeting area isinfluenced
an area that is by theandtides,
fertile has thewith effect
potential as far as
for community 60 km
planning and
Figure 2. Raft houses in the Dutch colonial era in the 1920s (source: tropenmuseum royal tropical institute). from theInmouth
development. of the
a larger sense, river. The
the waterfront highest
is not only tides
physically occuradjacent
seen directly fromto
Figure 2.  Raft houses in the Dutch colonial era in the 1920s bodies of water, but also have a connection with the water in the historical development of
October to April, with fluctuations in water level reaches
the area. Having a separate uniqueness to the development of social society who lives, have
(source: tropenmuseum royal tropical institute).
Figure 2. Raft houses in the Dutch colonial era in the 1920s (source: tropenmuseum royal tropical institute). 2.50 –value,
economic 3.50creating
meters publicatenjoyment
high tide. of its own,Consequently,
and become the identitythe build-
of these
regions¹⁰.
ings in the area of a stage 2.50 – 3.50 meters with a height
Figure 2. Raft houses in the Dutch colonial era in the 1920s (source: tropenmuseum royal tropical institute).
Palembang has the character as a city of water, Statistical data from 1990 shows that the
of the
natural bottom
physical conditionofof the
Palembangstream, situated
city, mostly made up above,
of waterorapproximately
on the
surface
52.24%¹¹. Thisof
can the water
be seen from theofmany a tide.
large riversBased on that
and creeks thearetopography,
in the city. River in
Figure 3. Life settlement musi river current. Palembang is strongly influenced by the tides, with effect as far as 60 km from the mouth of
the
the settlements
river. The highest tidesinoccur Palembang,
from October to generally locatedinatwater
April, with fluctuations three
level
This river divides the Palembang city into two parts, namely Seberang Ulu and Seberang Ilir, locations, namely directly on the water, the tidal or river
reaches 2.50 - 3.50 meters at high tide. Consequently, the buildings in the area of a stage 2.50
– 3.50 meters with a height of the bottom of the stream, situated above, or on the surface of
and is the largest river with aFigure length of settlement
3. Life 750 kilometers and
musi river an average width of 540 meters, banks and land. The River grows very naturally, depend-
current.
the water of a tide. Based on the topography, the settlements in Palembang, generally located
the longest reaching 1,350 meters wide (figure 4)⁶.
This river divides the Palembang Figurecity
3. Lifeinto two parts,
settlement namely
musi river Seberang Ulu and Seberang Ilir, ating
current.
threeon the circumstances
locations, namely directly on theof thetheebb
water, tidaland flow
or river banksof andthe
land.waters
The River
andFigure grows very naturally, depending on the circumstances
of its river. To avoid the tide is always changing, and of the ebb and flow of the waters of its
affect
3.  river
is the largest Life withsettlement
a length of 750 musi riverand
kilometers current.
an average width of 540 meters,
the longest reaching 1,350 meters wide (figure 4)⁶. river. To avoid the tide is always changing, and affect the surrounding area, the embankment
theas surrounding
used a barrier (Figure 5). area, the embankment used as a barrier
This river divides the Palembang city into two parts, namely Seberang Ulu and Seberang Ilir, If(Figure you do not use 5).the levee as a barrier, then the tide would be unclear, so that the area at the
and is the largest river with a length of 750 kilometers and an average width of 540 meters, time of low tide, is as ground, but at high tide, into area waters.

the longest reaching 1,350 meters wide (figure 4)⁶.

Figure 5. configuration Pieces of land on the banks of the Musi River in Palembang.

Figure 5.  configuration Pieces of land on the banks of the

A = Area of land and the riverside area, at the time of high tide, this area is the area of the riverbank.
Musi River in Palembang.
However, at low tide, the area became land area. Foster home ground in the form of a stage.
BA = Area
= Area of the of
tidalland and the
river, where riverside
the current state ofarea, at the
the waters timethisofarea
receding, high tide,
became the
Figure 4.
4. Musi
Musi riverside
riverside residential
residential area
area in
in the
the city
city of
of Palembang.
Palembang. riverbank. Clearly visible pillars of the building. However, at high tide, the waters of the river area,
Figure this area is the area of the riverbank. However, at low tide, the area
where buildings look like floats on water. Foster home stage.
Figure 4.  Musi riverside residential area in the city of C became land
= Area waters by thearea. Foster
river, foster homeshome
raft. ground in the form of a stage.
Palembang proclaimed by the President to the 6 Republic of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang
Palembang.
Palembang
Yudhoyono proclaimed
as the ‘Citybyofthe
Air President to like
Travel’ city the Bangkok
6 Republic
in of Indonesia,
Thailand Susilo Bambang
and Phnom Penh in DB = area
= The Area of the
of traffic tidal
lanes at river,
the waters where
of the the current
inland waterway state of the waters
transportation.
Yudhoyono
Cambodia, on the ‘City of27,Air2005.
as September Travel’
And city like the
in 2008 Bangkok
city of in Thailand welcomes
Palembang and Phnom Penhvisit
tourist in receding, this area became the riverbank. Clearly visible pillars of
Cambodia,
withpublic onspace
the name September
‘Visit Musi 27, 2005.
2008’⁷. And in 2008 the city of Palembang
is a functional space⁸. Public space in urban welcomes tourist visit 3.the building.
Dwelling However,
Settlement BuildingatTypology
high tide, the waters
Musi River Edge of the river area,
with
Untilthe name
now, ‘Visit Musihave
inhabitants 2008’⁷.
remained settlement flourished in the river of Musi. A form of where buildings look like floats on water. Foster home stage.
areas is understood
Until now, inhabitants havethere
settlement which has been as asettlement
since
remained space and
antiquity, that is free
became
flourished theto
ina special use by for
attraction
river of Musi.any-
A aform
city of
of The grouping of a kind of means of building the river based on the configuration of the state of
C = Area waters by the river, foster homes raft.
one,
Palembang. and Using is controlled
qualitative by
methods, the
a State.
survey Public
done in space
relevant the
books shape
and through its natural, consisting of: (A) The land of the stage; (B) The tidal stage; (C) The house of a raft
settlement which has been there since antiquity, and became a special attraction for a city of D = 6).The area of traffic lanes at the waters of the inland waterway
residential typology sat on its edges Musi what happened until now. (Figure
is stretched
Palembang. as corridors,
Using qualitative methods, generally
a survey doneonly have books
in relevant a limit
and on
through transportation.
residential typology sat on its edges Musi what happened until now.
2. Characteristic of the Bank of a Musi River to use as a Building
3
2 2. Vol
Characteristic of the2016
9 (10) | March Bank| www.indjst.org
of a Musi River to use as a Building 2 Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Figure 4. Musi riverside residential area in the city of Palembang.

2
 Hartanto Budiyuwono

If you do not use the levee as a barrier, then the tide waters, pole height is measured by the height of the high-
would be unclear, so that the area at the time of low tide, est tide in the area. While on land, the height of the mast
is as ground, but at high tide, into area waters. is as tall as a human, so that people can be to put goods
on under the house. This pyramid house in antiquity is
the residence of the nobles, where there is a difference in
3. Dwelling Settlement Building floor height. It is associated with the hierarchy of space
Typology Musi River Edge and social status of its inhabitants. On the roof there are
The grouping of a kind of means of building the river ornaments like crowns.
Figure Called
6. Grouping theMusi
building types ‘head’ is the roof along
riverbank.

based on the configuration of the state of its natural, con-Typologywith

meansthe ornament
of settlement (tandook
building kambeeng
on the banks andcansimbar).
of the river be broadlyThe
divided into
two, namely land house
‘body’ and houses on stilts of
consists above
all the
the tidal land, and
rooms in houses
the floatingexcept
house on water.
sisting of: (A) The land of the stage; (B) The tidal stage;
(C) The house of a raft (Figure 6). the pyramid ‘jogan’ or guest rooms. The ‘legs’ house con-
4. (A) Stage House on Land and (B) House Stage at The Tidal River Water
Typology means of settlement building on the banksHouses on sists of ‘jogan’ enterance stairs up on poles foundation
stilts land and houses on stilts tides in Palembang have the same characteristic
of the river can be broadly divided into two, namely landshape. The called ‘cagak’
stage house (Figure
consists of two7types
+ Figure 8). house and Barn house. The difference
of Pyramid
lies in the function of the bottom only, namely: This house rests immediately on the ground
and houses on stilts above the tidal land, and housesand close to the bank of a river, made also in the form of the stage. The house which located
­floating on water. 6.  created
on the ground Barnin theHouse stage for the securing for a wild animal attack. Therefore, the
bottom part of the house is not occupied by the family. But functioned as a warehouse, or to
take care of pets. With warehouse functions under the house, then the location of the stairs to
the roomAabove
residence for traders and ordinary people, andbyisthe
also
4. (A) Stage House on Land and used
tidal stage house
were outside
forisstorage
the building,
a form ofofanticipation
which
goods. The
can be reached
roofwaters,
of tidal shape
directly
shieldflooding.
avoiding without
public. The
Stairs-even
(B) House Stage at The Tidal position located outside the building.
ornamentation. Flat floor, there are differences in floor
River Water 5.
height. This type of home is still widely used as well as new
Pyramid (Meru) House
built, especially in swampy areas (Figure 9 + Figure 10).
A house with a roof shape pyramid (meru), supported by poles above the ground. Especially in
Houses on stilts land and houses on stilts tides inthe area of tidal waters, pole height is measured by the height of the highest tide in the area.
Palembang have the same characteristic shape. The stageWhile on land, the height of the mast is as tall as a human, so that people can be to put goods
house consists of two types of Pyramid house and Barnthere is 7.  Raft
on under the house. This House
pyramid house in antiquity is the residence of the nobles, where
a difference in floor height. It is associated with the hierarchy of space and social
house. The difference lies in the function of the bottomstatus ofAt its inhabitants. On the roof
the beginning there
of its are ornaments in
development likethe
crowns. Called theraft
kingdom, 'head' is the
along with the ornament (tandook kambeeng and simbar). The 'body' house consists of all
only, namely: This house rests immediately on the groundroofthe roomshouses inhabited
in the house bypyramid
except the migrants, namely
'jogan' or guest Arabic and
rooms. The Chinese
'legs' house consists of
and close to the bank of a river, made also in the form'jogan' enterance stairs up on poles foundation called 'cagak' (Figure 7 + Figure 8).
of the stage. The house which located on the ground cre-
ated in the stage for the securing for a wild animal attack.
Therefore, the bottom part of the house is not occupied by
the family. But functioned as a warehouse, or to take care
of pets. With warehouse functions under the house, then
the location of the stairs to the room above were outside
the building, which can be reached directly by the pub-
lic. The tidal stage house is a form of anticipation of tidal
waters, avoiding flooding. Stairs-even position located
outside the building.
Figure 7. Typology a sketch and Form Roof on House Pyramid Stage.
Figure 7.  Typology a sketch and Form Roof on House
5.  Pyramid (Meru) House Pyramid Stage. 4
A house with a roof shape pyramid (meru), supported
by poles above the ground. Especially in the area of tidal

Figure 6. Grouping building types Musi riverbank. Figure 8. Looks House Pyramid Stage.
Figure 6.  Grouping building types Musi riverbank. Figure 8.  Looks House Pyramid Stage.
Typology means of settlement building on the banks of the river can be broadly divided into 6. Barn House
two, namely land and houses on stilts above the tidal land, and houses floating on water.
A residence for traders and ordinary people, and is also used for storage of goods. The
roof shape shield without ornamentation. Flat floor, there are differences in floor
4.Vol
(A)9Stage
(10) |House
Marchon2016
Land |and
www.indjst.org
(B) House Stage at The Tidal River Water height. This type of home is still widelyIndian
used asJournal of Science
well as new and Technology
built, especially in swampy 3
areas (Figure 9 + Figure 10).
Houses on stilts land and houses on stilts tides in Palembang have the same characteristic
shape. The stage house consists of two types of Pyramid house and Barn house. The difference
 particular attention to if they do not pay taxes, then the rulers at that time could easily expel
them. Besides foreigners, there are also natives who stay at home rafts coming from lower
A residence
6. Barn House for traders and ordinary people, and is also used for storage of goods. The
classes¹².
roof shape shield without ornamentation. Flat floor, there are differences in floor
A residence for traders and ordinary people, and is also used for storage of goods. The These immigrants settled in the raft house, the house is placed on a foundation which can
height. This type of home is still widely used as well as new built, especially in swampy
roof shape shield without ornamentation. Flat floor, there are differences in floor float in water. The anvil is made of a series of bamboo or wood¹³. To maintain stability, the
areas (FigureTypology
House 9 + Figure 10).
of Musi River’s Edge in the City of Palembang, South of isSumatra
house placed in the–middle
Indonesia
of the raft (Figure 11).
height. This type of home is still widely used as well as new built, especially in swampy
areas (Figure 9 + Figure 10).

Figure 11. The position of the house which placed in the midst of a raft.
Figure 11.  The position of the house which placed in the midst
The house of a raft there is no foundation until embedded into the ground. But the house of a
of a raft. 
raft will be carrying the burden of ballast that can be brought down to the river bed. With the
ballast tools, house these rafts can stop somewhere. These waters also built an embankment
that is embedded in the bottom of the stream, that serves to bind the fore part of the house
8. Conclusion Typology in The
of a raft so as not drifting by the flow of the water of a river. In general, the raft house has two
doors, each facing the mainland and into the river. In the section that faces the mainland,
Figure 9. 9.
Figure Typology
TypologyForms
FormsWarehouse RoofHouse
Warehouse Roof
Figure 9.  Typology Forms Warehouse Roof House Stage.
HouseStage.
Stage.
Form of Home River Edge Musi
there is a bridge in the form of a series of bamboo or board. Home form is simpler than
pyramid house and barn house. Rectangular and on the inside there are two rooms. The front
The
room isedge
used toofreceive
the guests
riverand waters has natural
daily activities, characteristics
while the back room serves as a bed.that
The
are closely related between water, soil, climate,
kitchen at the house raft part attached to the outside wall of the back room. as well as
social and cultural heritage of the people in that location.
Typology of theinhouse
8. Conclusion Typology The FormMusi of Homeriver
River Edgebank Musi happens com-
posed
The edge of the river waters has natural characteristics that can
of: home floating on water that move
are closely because
related between
Figure 10. House Stage Warehouse. itwater,
hassoil,noclimate,
foundation; house
as well as social floating
and cultural heritageon water
of the peoplethat
in thatcannot
location.
Figure 10. House Stage Warehouse. Typology of the house Musi river bank happens
move because it has a foundation that is embedded in composed of: home floating on water thatthe
can
Figure 10.  House Stage Warehouse. move because it has no foundation; house floating on water that cannot move because it has
5
soil at the
a foundation thatbottom
is embeddedof thesoilriver.
in the at the bottom of the river.
traders, who are not allowed to own land on the main- 5 The houses are using
The houses are using material from wood material
or bamboo. from
Taking into woodaccountor thebamboo.
security of a
land. It is paying particular attention to if they do not pay Taking into account the security of a wild beast, surface
wild beast, then the house that are found on land was made to float above the thenofthe the
ground, which is being raised on a platform. Type raised on a platform happened on land, and
taxes, then the rulers at that time could easily expel them. house
in the areathat
of upsare found
and downs on land
of water. Type thewas made
form space to float
in which occur onabove the
the mainland
Besides foreigners, there are also natives who stay at home surface of the
are distinguished at the ground,
height of the which
face of theis being floors
conservatory raised on a plat-
corresponding to the
status of Type
form. nobility from
raised the occupant of the House.happened
on a platform While the type on of theland,
stage above
and the in
rafts coming from lower classes¹². water, the type form of space it has the same high floor height, this shows the status of
These immigrants settled in the raft house, the house the area of ups and downs
occupants that is the ordinary society. of water. Type the form space
is placed on a foundation which can float in water. The in which occur on the mainland are distinguished at the
anvil is made of a series of bamboo or wood¹³. To main- height of the face of the conservatory floors corresponding
tain stability, the house is placed in the middle of the raft to the status of nobility from the occupant of the House.
(Figure 11). While the type of the stage above the water, the type form6
The house of a raft there is no foundation until of space it has the same high floor height, this shows the
embedded into the ground. But the house of a raft will be status of occupants that is the ordinary society.
carrying the burden of ballast that can be brought down to
the river bed. With the ballast tools, house these rafts can 9.  References
stop somewhere. These waters also built an embankment
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