Vertical Housing Transformation Must Be Disability-Friendly and Socially Just

Jakarta City Council's Commission D Member, Ghozi Zulazmi emphasized the importance of a paradigm shift in the development of vertical housing or flats.

ensure people have livable homes

According to him, apartment development should not only focus on infrastructure, but also prioritize humanitarian aspects, social justice, and sustainability. One crucial aspect is ensuring that housing is accessible to vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities.

City and Central Governments Ready to Provide Affordable Housing

Ghozi added that the Jakarta Provincial Government has provided around 38,000 units of flats through the Public Housing and Settlement Agency and regionally-owned enterprises. However, this number is still far from sufficient to meet the community's needs.

"The development primary goal is to ensure people have livable homes, not just a place to live. The intention to improve slum areas should not end up with the construction of slum-like apartments," he said, Thursday (9/11).

He explained that the ideal flat for Jakarta, as a global city, must be well-integrated. This includes disability-friendly housing, an environmentally friendly concept, and direct connections to public transportation modes such as the MRT and Transjakarta.

In order to avoid social inequality, Ghozi also encourages the concept of mixed-use housing that combines low-income communities with middle-income groups.

He also reminded of two other important things in the development of vertical housing, namely legal certainty and economic empowerment of flat residents.

According to Ghozi, the transformation of vertical housing in Jakarta must be human-centered.

"A flat is not just a building, but a place for the people living within it. Therefore, vertical housing development must truly benefit residents," he stated.