M Block Revitalization Value Expert Needs to Be Supported by Housing
JAKARTA - DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung is intensifying the development of the Blok M area, South Jakarta, into one of the transit-oriented or transit-oriented development (TOD) areas.
Urban planning expert from Trisakti University, Yayat Supriyatna assessed that this is a strategic step to strengthen the vitality of the area.
However, Yayat emphasized that the revitalization of Blok M is not enough just with the arrangement of transportation and public spaces, but must also be accompanied by the development of housing that is able to maintain economic activity throughout the day.
"Actually, Blok M has a big history from the past. So Blok M is one of the economic centers of Jakarta, a transportation service node, because there was a Blok M Terminal before it changed like it is now. Then Blok M also became an icon of the middle class of Jakarta," said Yayat to reporters, Monday, December 22.
According to Yayat, the position of Blok M, which is now popular among young people, especially Gen Z and millennials, shows great potential to revive this area as the economic center of South Jakarta.
"So actually compared to other areas, Blok M is the best icon area. Sentranya is the child of Jaksel. Blok M can be said to be the center of young people, if it can be revitalized, especially if it can be integrated with the development of transportation nodes that are increasingly developing," he said.
However, Yayat reminded that the development of Block M as a TOD area is not without obstacles. One of the fundamental issues is the regulation of land and property rights that are diverse in the area.
"The challenge is related to property rights. So if you want to develop there, that's the biggest obstacle to who manages the area, if he becomes TOD. Then how can the pattern of collaboration be developed. The development of TOD has been given to PT MRT. But how can PT MRT collaborate with business entities or property owners there. So that's the difficulty," explained Yayat.
According to him, coordination between PT MRT Jakarta and land owners around Blok M must be the main concern so that the development of the area runs effectively. Without a clear collaboration mechanism, the TOD concept risks not touching the revitalization substance desired by the local government.
Furthermore, Yayat highlighted the lack of dense and affordable housing around Blok M which could support the economic life of the night. He assessed that the area would be difficult to become a 24-hour market if it was not supported by residents who lived around it.
"The other is what ideas are being developed? Because Blok M, for example, at night or if he is not able to be a 24-hour market, because there is no settlement, a middle-class settlement. For example, is there no affordable apartment for young people there?" he said.
"So if he becomes a TOD there, one settlement must be built that is quite dense in the sense of apartments or apartments that can facilitate Blok M to live 24 hours," he added.
According to Yayat, the construction of affordable housing such as apartments or apartments is not only to meet the need for housing, but will also grow new economic activities around the area.
Yayat assessed that if the TOD concept in Blok M is successfully implemented with the support of residential and public facilities that are alive 24 hours a day, this area can become a new source of income for the local government.
"If now the DKI Provincial Government wants to build 24-hour parks, when can we make Blok M 24 hours? That is an economic attraction, the money turnover is fast, and then the local government can get new PAD sources," he added.