TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan requested Jakarta’s entire regional work unit (SKPD) to redesign the sidewalks that are currently being restored on Central Jakarta’s Jendral Sudirman – MH Thamrin street.

Anies Baswedan suggests that the original design did not make any space available for motorcyclists to travel through the major street in Jakarta. Anies wants every type of vehicle to be able to pass the street, including motorcycles.

Read more: Djarot to Build Wide Sidewalks from Ratu Plaza to Monas

The governor has his own view regarding urban sidewalks and argues that it must act as a place for pedestrians to socially interact with each other. He also wants sidewalks to feature positive community activities.

“It must be sheltered [by trees] so that pedestrians can travel through it not just in the afternoon or evening. Jakarta is blistering hot and humid, and without trees, few people utilize sidewalks,” said Governor Anies Baswedan on November 6.

Interestingly, Anies suggested that sidewalks should not only be used for pedestrians to travel through, but it should also act as a place to hold interactions either economically, culturally, and socially.

“We have even planned cultural areas, which features art-related activities, such as music, visual arts. Sidewalks should not just be a place for plants and business areas, but should be an arena for cultural activities,” said Anies Baswedan.

Jakarta is currently conducting a massive restoration throughout the sidewalks located at Jendral Sudirman and MH Thamrin street, which is dubbed as ‘Our Sidewalks’. The project is expected to be complete in July 2018.

LARISSA HUDA