Medan Merdeka to Apply Green Open Space and Transportation Integration Concept

The Jakarta Cipta Karya, Spatial Planning and Land Agency is revitalizing the Medan Merdeka area, especially on the south side. It emphasizes the optimization of regional functions with the concept of green open space and transportation integration.

We do this in conjunction with the revitalization of the Istiqlal Mosque and the area around Lapangan Banteng

Monas Management Unit Head Muhamad Isa Sanuri said it is part of the Master Plan for Structuring the Medan Merdeka Area Tread Plan, which is the result of a design competition whose winners are set in early 2019. Thus far its implementation is still undergoing since last year and is targeted to be finished in three years or in early 2021.

The main design of revitalization is to build Plaza Field as a place of expression of citizens on each side of the Monas and ponds construction that can reflect the shadow of the National Monument. There are also reforestation in parking areas and water harvesting system for maintenance needs.

This Year, Bina Marga to Revitalize 3.9 Kilometers Sidewalks in Central Jakarta

Currently the project has been started from the south side of Plaza area as wide as 34,841 m2. "From 190 trees on the south, some will be relocated to the west, east and parking area or popularly known as IRTI parking lot," he expressed, as quoted by Jakarta PPID's press release.

Jakarta Cipta Karya, Spatial Planning and Land Agency Head Heru Hermanwanto assessed the revitalization plan in Medan Merdeka and National Monument areas has been carefully prepared, from the arrangement design of the Medan Merdeka Regional Tread Plan, interior design of the National Monument, to the physical area.

"We do this in conjunction with the revitalization of the Istiqlal Mosque and the area around Lapangan Banteng. These three areas will be connected by pedestrian paths," he explained.

It is built based on the historical chronology of the Monas and Medan Merdeka areas, from its function as a central government to the Merdeka Park as a green open space. It is also a national-scale recreation facility that is thick with symbolic meanings to remember and inspire the nation's struggle.

As for the revitalization plan at the Plaza Selatan Monas is intended as a public open space, which also serves to accommodate government activities, either central or regional. All this time, those activities use the Great Room, which is a way around the National Monument, whereas it was designed since the beginning of the National Monument construction as a contemplation room. By relocating it to the Plaza Selatan, it is expected to be able to restore the function of the Great Room as a contemplation room.

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan also has canceled a basement plan in the southern area for parking vehicles. The planning documents were completed in 2013 by the Jakarta Provincial Spatial Planning Agency, which refers to the Medan Merdeka Structuring Master Plan in 1997, with a building area of 89,840 m2. According to him, the Medan Merdeka area in the future must be oriented to pedestrians and public transportation.