MRT Jakarta Susun Concept ToD Kota Tua Based On Cultural Heritage Preservation

JAKARTA - PT MRT Jakarta (Perseroda) is preparing a concept for the development of transit-oriented development (TOD) areas in the Kota Tua area which emphasizes the integration of public transportation with the preservation of historical heritage.

President Director of PT MRT Jakarta, Tuhiyat, explained that the company has three main mandates, namely infrastructure development, operations and maintenance, as well as business development and transit-oriented areas. As of October 2025, the progress of MRT Phase 2 construction was recorded to have reached 52.27 percent.

According to him, this project is not only expanding the network of public transportation services in Jakarta, but also opens up opportunities to revive the historic Kota Tua area through spatial planning that is friendly to pedestrians and the environment.

"MRT Jakarta wants to ensure that infrastructure development is in line with the preservation of cultural heritage. Through the TOD Forum, we encourage collaboration to create a modern city and still respect its history," said Tuhiyat in Jakarta, Thursday, October 23.

Meanwhile, Director of Business Development of MRT Jakarta, Farchad Mahfud, explained that the development of the Old Town TOD was designed with a heritage led urban regeneration principle or an urban regeneration approach based on the preservation of cultural heritage.

"The station design will adopt the Batavia atmosphere in the past by presenting comfortable public areas, commercial concourse, and archaeological galleries that are integrated directly with pedestrian networks and city transportation," said Farchad.

This concept, continued Farchad, makes the City MRT Station a catalyst for revitalization of historic areas, reconnecting Kota Tua's economic and social functions with Jakarta's modern life.

Furthermore, TOD Kota Tua was developed with eight main principles, namely high density around transportation nodes, increased connectivity between modes, social equality, infrastructure resilience, environmental sustainability, improving public space quality, local economic regeneration, and developing mixed functions within a walking radius.

The approach places Kota Tua as an integrated, accessible, and economically competitive district, without leaving the character of its colonial architecture behind.

Revitalization is planned to touch main corridors such as Jalan Pintu Besar Selatan and the Beos Plaza area which will function as pedestrian spine or main pedestrian paths. In addition, the adaptive reuse concept is applied to cultural heritage buildings so that they are still used without losing their historical value.

"Through this approach, MRT Jakarta targets the Kota Tua area as an integrated, accessible, and economically competitive district, while maintaining historical value and architectural character," he said.

MRT Jakarta has also prepared innovative financing schemes, such as Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) and Land Value Capture (LVC), to support conservation as well as regional economic development.