Historic Jakarta to be revamped for tourists
Indonesia has announced a new project designed to redevelop an old part of Jakarta, known as Old Batavia, as a tourism attraction.
A newly-formed public-private partnership, working in conjunction with Indonesia’s Ministry for Tourism & Creative Economy, will oversee the project, which is aimed at showcasing Indonesia’s colonial heritage and the importance of the former spice trade. Upon completion, the Ministry said it hoped Old Batavia, known locally as Kota Tua, would become a “prime tourist site” for the city.
“The rebuilding and revitalisation of Kota Tua is best undertaken by all stakeholders and must involve and benefit the local population,” said Firmansyah Rahim, the Ministry’s Director General for Tourism Development.
“Although a large part of the main Fatahillah Square and main buildings surrounding the plaza have been restored and the area has grown into a reasonable attractive tourist site, major challenges still include the management of the hundreds of hawkers and the restoration of many dilapidated buildings. As a most valuable heritage and tourism asset of Indonesia’s capital city, Jakarta, this area should be planned and developed comprehensively, from the reconstruction of old buildings on to their prospective use and management, which must all be in sync,” Firmansyah added.
Old Batavia covers approximately 1.3km² of land near the coast in North Jakarta. It was founded by the Dutch East India Company in the 16th Century as the centre of company’s administration and lucrative spice trade.
In December 2012, Arie Budhiman, Head of Jakarta’s Tourism & Culture Office, revealed that from 2013 Jakarta would focus its efforts on the redevelopment of the Old Batavia area, with plans to restore 134 buildings. These include the Jakarta Museum, Maritime Museum, Wayang Museum, Museum of Fine Arts and Ceramics and the Conservation Institute. The project is expected to last two to three years.