URBAN HERITAGE & RENEWAL

CASE STUDY - JAKARTA

Name: Jayshree Pradhan

URP20004
Batch 2020-2022
Masters in Urban and Regional Planning
School of Human Settlement
Xavier University, Bhubaneswar
INTRODUCTION:

● The preservation and valorization of historic and cultural heritage is a key

opportunity for urban regeneration as both physical and immaterial aspects of
heritage can be leveraged as development and economic opportunities.
● Urban regeneration restores underutilized assets and redistributes opportunities,
increasing urban prosperity and improving the quality of life for all. This can
strengthen the sense of place and identity and support urban inclusion.
● Heritage quality is often privatized rather than shared.

HISTORY OF THE CITY:

● Jakarta is Indonesia, capital and the largest city.

● The colonial history of the city can be divided into three major periods-

1.Dutch East India Company (1610–1800)

2.Dutch East Indies (1800–1942)
3.National revolution era (1945–1949)

● Dutch East India Company (1610–1800)

Most of the activities of the city centered around the fortress and the company
warehouses. At that time the city somewhat resembled a typical Dutch town,
complete with canals.

● Dutch East Indies (1800–1942)

The second period began in the early 1800s when the city was extended to
include higher and more healthful areas to the south, which would later become
the seat of the new colonial government.

● National revolution era (1945–1949)

After the recognition of Indonesian sovereignty on 27 December 1949, in March
1950, Jakarta was increased in size from 182 square kilometers to 530 square
kilometers.

● Jakarta has undergone tremendous growth and development since Indonesia’s

independence.
● During the 1950s the city began its transformation, as President Sukarno
 supported large-scale construction projects.
● The city’s infrastructure was modernized, and office towers rose.
● Jakarta became one of the largest metropolises of tropical Asia and emerged as
a financial and commercial center.

CURRENT URBAN SITUATION:

● Geographical exposure: Jakarta is located in a deltaic plain crisscrossed by

thirteen rivers; about forty percent of the city is below sea level.
● Rapid urbanization: Greater Jakarta has a population of 28 million, with an
additional two million commuters each day.
● Weak spatial planning and land use management, leading to an expansion of
commercial areas and a decrease of the open space that could absorb rainwater
or function as flood-catchment areas.
● Fast land subsidence due to groundwater extraction, causing Jakarta to sink by
6-12 cm per year.
● Lack of drainage of the city’s thirteen rivers and canals, which are used for
dumping the garbage.
● Despite its rich cultural heritage, the area has declined as it suffers from poor
infrastructure and service provision. The city government of Jakarta has instituted
a comprehensive development plan to renew the neighborhood’s vibrant
atmosphere, improve the standard of living for citizens and revitalize the
economy.

The major challenges facing the City of Jakarta are:

● The resilience of Jakarta’s old town - The policy should not only focus on the
conservation of old historic buildings but also on the sustainability of the old town.
● Limited budget and finance - The local government lacks sufficient budget
resources for the conservation of this area. Private investment, therefore, needs
to be attracted through a robust combination of regulations and incentives.
● Asset ownership- Of the 281 heritage buildings in Kota Tua, 50%
(141buildings) belong to the private sector, 48% (134) to the National
Government of Jakarta. This makes it difficult for the Government of the Capital
Region to carry out conservation work.
● Cross-sector collaboration- As the owners of the historical buildings
earmarked for conservation are mainly from the private sector and the Regional
Government lacks sufficient funding, it is necessary to encourage cross-sector
collaboration through an institutional framework.
APPROACH TO HERITAGE:

1. CONSERVATION PRINCIPLES:

● Identifying significance - Understanding the significance and values about

a place is vital to inform decisions about its future.
● Minimal intervention - Do as much as is necessary, but as little as possible
to make sure the integrity of a heritage place is retained.
● Integrity and authenticity - The value of cultural heritage is not only in its
appearance but also in the integrity and authenticity of all its materials.
● Reversibility - Where possible, any measures adopted should be
“reversible” so that they can be removed or replaced with more suitable
measures when new knowledge is acquired.
2. ACCESSING SIGNIFICANCE:

● The building is associated with the phase when Kota Tua was a busy business
center, strategically located close to the port and railway station.
● The building was used as Dasaad Musin’s office and showroom for businesses
including the largest textile factory in Indonesia, imported manufacturing tools,
cars, and planes for the air force.
● The building is representative of the modern style that emerged between WWI
and WWII and includes features such as repeated geometric forms.
● The building’s watchtower contributes to its landmark significance and
connection to the port.

3.CONSERVATION ACTIONS:

1.Protection
2. Preservation
3.Maintenance
4.Restoration
5. Adaptation