 | On 16 September 2011, started at 6.30am, a group of people gathered, sitting relaxed in front of Kopi Tiam Oey, Jalan Sabang, Central Jakarta. They are actually people from community of cyclists, Transjakarta users group, Komunitas Historia Indonesia (history enthusiast group), NGOs, public in general, Jakarta Spatial Planning Agency and mass media. They were enjoying their breakfast by sipping coffee/hot tea while having a chit-chat regarding the PARK(ing) Day Campaign. They had that moment in a space that was previously a parking lot and had been transformed by the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) into a small park (7mx4.8m width) with plants as the border and a short white fence as barrier to the traffic lane. People sat together in a wooden bench that was placed in the center of the area. |
Participants, who joined the breakfast and chit-chat, came from different backgrounds but have one goal. That goal is to reclaim public space, ie, sidewalks or pedestrian, who had been taken to be a place for motorized vehicle parking. Even frequently, two-wheeler riders started to overtake the pedestrian paths, especially when long traffic jams started happening.
All the participants seconded the motion that Jakarta has to become that a city that put priority on the people instead of the cars or motorcycles. They urged more public spaces. The head of Jakarta Spatial Planning Agency, Wiriyatmoko, agreed that Jakarta needs more decent pavements. He invited people who joined the morning-session of PARK(ing) Day Campaign to come to his office on Friday, 23 September 2011, at 9am to have further discussion on what should be done next after the campaign.
The campaign continued by a press conference which was attended by journalists of national media (online, printed, TVs and radios), NGO colleagues, Jakarta Traffic Police Officers and Jakarta City Officials. On its press release, ITDP put emphasize that a livable city is one that put priority to public space, not private vehicles. In fact, 78 percent of the Jalan Sabang area of land actually is used for parking spaces. Paradigm shift is needed that is what the campaign aimed.
Head of Jakarta Land Transportation Agency, Udar Pristono stated on-street parking will be banned along Jalan Sabang, by 2012. Read: http://www.tempo.co/hg/tata_kota/2011/09/16/brk,20110916-356591,id.html
This campaign has gathered supports from any elements of the city. In a separate interview with a national newspaper, one of the local parliament members stated that many of shops/privates could not provide off-street parking slots due to limited spaces, so that they end up by overtaking the traffic lane or sidewalk area. It does not mean right, city government was appointed to find the solution.
Returning the Public Space from the Parking Areas is not something easy. ITDP faced difficulties with the informal authorities, even though coordination meetings has been done many times with their commander, but in fact, we have to negotiate many times with many different people who were in charge. They asked for money since they think that they have spent more times to secure the campaign. ITDP thinks that money will not stop them; they will keep sending different people asking for more money. Therefore, ITDP decided to ask for media attention on the issue and asked them to do monitor on the campaign. If there is demolition by force, media will be ready to broadcast it live. But fortunately, things run smoothly and the campaign ends safely.
During the campaign, people passed by were also invited to experience the Park by having a seat on the bench. ITDP team has prepared answers to their questions, and for those who has no time to seat and had a chit-chat, ITDP gave them a flyer where there is all about Jakarta PARK(ing) Day.
Pictures:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/67710932@N07/sets/72157627586370917/with/6165602986/
Media Coverages:
Jakarta Looks to Clear Way for Walkers
http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/jakarta-looks-to-clear-way-for-walkers/465967
Community kicks off campaign to ban on-street parking – The Jakarta Post ---http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/09/17/community-kicks-campaign-ban-street-parking.html
Parkir di Sebagian Sabang Dilarang – Kompas -- http://megapolitan.kompas.com/read/2011/09/16/04561895/Parkir.di.Sebagian.Sabang.Dilarang
Tahun Depan, Kendaraan Dilarang Parkir di Jalan Sabang – Tempo -- http://www.tempo.co/hg/tata_kota/2011/09/16/brk,20110916-356591,id.html
Sulitnya Membudayakan Jalan Kaki di Jakarta – Detiknews -- http://www.detiknews.com/read/2011/09/16/181458/1724436/10/sulitnya-membudayakan-jalan-kaki-di-jakarta
Bondan 'Maknyus' Kampanye Trotoar Bukan untuk Tempat Parkir – Detiknews -- http://www.detiknews.com/read/2011/09/16/115447/1723940/10/bondan-maknyus-kampanye-trotoar-bukan-untuk-tempat-parkir?nd992203605
Kembalikan Ruang Publik Kami – Koran Jakarta ---
http://m.koran-jakarta.com/index.php?id=71456&mode_beritadetail=1
KAMPANYE PARK(ING) DAY – Rakyat Merdeka -- http://www.rakyatmerdekaonline.com/news.php?id=39515
Dishub Gelar Kampanye Parking Day –Wartakota-- http://www.wartakota.co.id/detil/berita/58498/Dishub-Gelar-Kampanye-Parking-Day
City Supports PARK(ing) Day Campaign for Public Room – Berita Jakarta -- http://www.beritajakarta.com/2008/en/newsview.aspx?idwil=0&id=20350
ITDP kampanye gerakan PARK(ing) Day – Bataviase-- http://bataviase.co.id/node/804032
Jakarta Park(ing) Day 16 September, Momentum Pengembalian Kawasan Publik – Kompasiana-- http://lifestyle.kompasiana.com/urban/2011/09/15/jakarta-parking-day-16-september-momentum-pengembalian-kawasan-publik/
Trotoar Untuk Publik Bukan Untuk Parkir – Media Indonesia --- http://www.mediaindonesia.com/foto/12331/Trotoar-Untuk-Publik-Bukan-Untuk-Parkir
Parkir Bahu Jalan Hilangkan Ruang Publik -- Vivanews -- http://metro.vivanews.com/news/read/247771-warga-kurang-edukasi-pentingnya-ruang-publik
Parkir "Off Street" Mau Tak Mau Dilaksanakan – Kompas --- http://megapolitan.kompas.com/read/2011/09/16/21312094/Parkir.Off.Street.Mau.Tak.Mau.Dilaksanakan
Hari Parkir Diperingati di Sabang – Kompas -- http://megapolitan.kompas.com/read/2011/09/16/10170786/Hari.Parkir.Diperingati.di.Sabang
Fungsi Trotoar dan Bahu Jalan Akan Dikembalikan – SCTV -- http://berita.liputan6.com/read/353729/fungsi-trotoar-dan-bahu-jalan-akan-dikembalikan