Jakarta Old Town Renovation Project Preserving The Past.

A Renovated Batavia Cafe.

Kota Tua, Old Town, of Jakarta has been for a long ingored but since the era of Jakarta Baru [New Jakarta] under Pak Jokowi [Governor Joko Widodo] and Ahok [Deputy Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama], things are turning positively as they have great concerns about this heritage area and are truly committed to seeing it revitalized.

Under the administration of Jokowi and Ahok, the provincial government founded the Jakarta Endowment for Arts and Heritage (Jeforah) a non-profit consortium, which consists of two government-owned companies, nine private companies, artists, architects, historians and many other experts, in early 2014. 

The group’s members came together out of concern for the Old Town, vowing to carry out a revitalization project. Meanwhile, the city also established the Jakarta Old Town Revitalization Corporation (Jotrc) to carry out the ambitious plans under Jeforah’s guidance and supervision.A large number of stakeholders have invested their time, effort, and funds into the undertaking. 

According to Lin Che Wei, chairman of Jotrc. The ownership of buildings in Kota Tua is distributed by at least three shareholders : the government 4%, private companies 40%, and persons the rest. By joining the forces with the consortium, Lin hopes to encourage all stakeholders in Kota Tua to work together in renovating and revitalizing the area. 

Revitalization Plan

The revitalization plan is basically aimed at converting the Kota Tua area into a special trade and business center. In order to sustain the economies of the area, the activities encompassing of art and culture, education, lifestyle (food, fashion and entertainment), MICE (meeting, incentive, convention, exhibition), creative industries and finance will be allowed to flourish. 

A Ongoing Renovation Project by JOTRC.

The advisory board guarantees that there will be no gentrification and no change to the old buildings.

Instead, owners of Kota Tua’s colonial buildings will be encouraged to renovate.The provincial government will enact new regulations for building owners. Under the new regulations, owners who neglect their property will be given a large penalty, while those who agree to renovate and maintain their structures will enjoy significant discounts on land and building taxes.Those who cannot afford to renovate their old buildings, may send their proposals to the government.

Source:http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/features/jakarta-is-going-back-to-its-roots-with-old-town-fiesta/