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Reports from Indonesian media indicate that the new administration in Jakarta city hall wants to revitalize the old part of the town (Kota Tua) and gives it a more exclusive feeling…
JAKARTA- The spotless, white city hall seems to just come out from a Dutch movie. And some of the gables on the top of the buildings just confirmed this ‘little Holland’ feeling.
The old Jakarta town is a masterpiece of Dutch architecture, at the time where the city was called Batavia. Unfortunately, decades of neglect have turned the once fancy area into a semi-slum with crumbling structures, smelly canals and a lack of proper facility. Successive make-over plans over the last 15 years have slightly improved the aspect of the district but too little. Batavia remains a sad example of a once-welathy area turned into a derelict one as business relocated in other parts of the metropolis.
The new Jakarta administration however plans (again) to give Kota Tua (Old Town) a major makeover and turn the crowded area in northern Jakarta into a Venice-like tourism spot. The new administration was elected two months ago and of course, has some grand plans for the city. Including now for the former Batavia.
Acocrding to an article from the Jakarta Post, Jakarta Deputy Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama said on Tuesday night that the renovation of Kota Tua should turn the area into an exclusive, high society area.
The new Kota Tua complex is expected to cater to the middle and upper classes.
“We have to shape Kota Tua as sophisticated and expensive. A five-star hotel will not be exclusive if it sells a cup of coffee for Rp 5000 (5 US cents). The same metaphor applies to Kota Tua,” he was quoted by kompas.com as saying.
According to Basuki, the city administration has allocated Rp 12 billion from the 2013 regional budget to restore the semi-slum once known as “The Queen of the East”. Much more funds, in excess of Rp 150 billion (US$ 170 million), will pay for the total renovation of Kota Tua, including several historical buildings, in 2014.
(Source: The Jakarta Post)
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
