We have designated red zones that will be inaccessible for street hawkers, and also prepare green zones in representative areas that will accommodate themJakarta (ANTARA) - The West Jakarta municipal authority confirmed that the revitalization of Jakarta Old Town was 80 percent complete as of Thursday, that is, one day before the expected inauguration date on Friday (August 26, 2022).
"In general, (the progress) is at 80 percent, which we can see by the changes in existing infrastructures," West Jakarta Municipal Secretary Iin Mutmainah said at the Jakarta Old Town ground here on Thursday.
The revitalization has included some changes such as the expansion and improvement of pedestrian paths and the relocation of street hawkers, who were earlier spread along the Jakarta Old Town up to Jakarta Kota train station, she informed.
One of the main focuses of the revitalization project is the improvement of pedestrian paths, the municipal secretary said, adding that the city authority has envisaged Jakarta Old Town as a pedestrian-friendly tourism object that would be accessible by foot.
Ketumbar, Kemukus, and Lada Dalam streets are among the public roads in the old town whose pedestrian paths have received a makeover, she informed.
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Apart from the expansion of the pedestrian paths to three meters, tactile guiding blocks and bicycle lanes will be built to complement the paths, Mutmainah said.
Moreover, street hawkers in the old town ground have been relocated to two locations, namely Cipta Niaga Building and the Finance Ministry Building, both on Kali Besar road, she said.
"We have designated red zones that will be inaccessible for street hawkers, and also prepare green zones in representative areas that will accommodate them," the municipal secretary added.
She expressed the hope that the revitalization would enhance visitors' experience and entice residents and tourists to throng Jakarta Old Town.
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Meanwhile, Taman Sari sub-district head Agus Sulaeman confirmed that the authority will not charge rental fees from street hawkers who have been relocated to the Finance Ministry Building for the first two months.
The building management will only negotiate the new rental fee with merchants to ensure the levied fee does not burden them after the end of the two-month period, he said.
"We will discuss (the rental fee later). We assured the price would not reach millions of rupiahs and burden residents," Sulaeman stated.
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Translator: Walda Marison, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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