Not Just a Train Operator, MRT Jakarta Aims for City Regeneration through TOD
JAKARTA - For some people, MRT Jakarta may only be known as a train operator that connects Lebak Bulus to HI Roundabout. However, behind the transportation service, there is a bigger mission, namely regenerating urban areas through the development of Transit Oriented Development (TOD).
Head of TOD Planning Department MRT Jakarta Sagita Devi said the existence of the MRT not only presents a new mode of transportation. This mass transit system is also expected to be a catalyst for economic growth, changes in people's lifestyles, and encourage urban regeneration through transit-based development.
"The existence of the MRT itself can be a catalyst for economic development, lifestyle changes in the city, and also a catalyst for urban regeneration through transit-based development," said Sagita in the MRT Jakarta Fellowship at the MRT Jakarta Transport Hub, Thursday, July 30.
When it was first formed, Sagita continued, the company had three main mandates, namely building railway infrastructure, operating the MRT service, and developing properties and areas around the station.
Now, the mandate has increased to five with the addition of the role as a transportation integrator and consultancy service provider.
From this mandate, MRT Jakarta is not only focused on the construction of lines and train operations. The company is also encouraged to develop areas around the station to become a more connected, comfortable environment for pedestrians, and to be able to move economic activities through the TOD concept.
"The vision is to make it easier for people to access public transportation. So not only MRT users, because of course commuters we also have to pay attention to supporting facilities for and to the station itself," said Sagita.
Mandate to Develop Nine TOD Areas
As part of the mandate, MRT Jakarta is entrusted to manage nine TOD areas along the phase 1 to phase 2 lines. However, not all areas are at the same stage of development.
"Of these nine TOD areas, not all of them can run optimally. Five TOD areas have complete regulatory foundations that are the basis for us to manage the area," said Sagita.
Five areas that have complete regulatory foundations, namely Lebak Bulus, Fatmawati, Blok M-ASEAN, Istora Mandiri, and Dukuh Atas.
Meanwhile, HI roundabout has been designated as a TOD area through the Governor's Decree (Kepgub), but the master plan is still awaiting approval.
Meanwhile, the Setiabudi, Bendungan Hilir (Benhil), and Old Town areas have been designated as TOD areas and MRT Jakarta has been appointed as the operator. However, the legal basis in the form of a Governor's Regulation (Pergub) is still in the process of issuance.
Even though it has been given the mandate to manage the area, MRT Jakarta is not a developer who builds everything itself. Unlike a number of transportation operators who have large land reserves, MRT Jakarta practically only has assets in the form of stations.
Therefore, companies play a more important role as managers of areas that align the interests of the government, transportation operators, BUMD, to land owners so that all developments run in a transit-based vision.
To align the development direction, MRT Jakarta has drafted an Urban Design Guideline with the central government, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government, transportation operators, BUMD, and private land owners.
"In the management of this TOD area, we indeed cannot move on our own and we need collaboration from all stakeholders in its development," said Sagita.
Through these guidelines, each area is developed according to its own character. Lebak Bulus is projected as a downtown area, Blok M as a Green Creative Hub, while the Old City maintains its identity as a heritage-based area.
"Then for Dukuh Atas because here there are quite a lot of public transportation, so the TOD concept is a collaboration of movement," he said.
From the Concept to Becoming an Area
The TOD concept, which has been compiled in various planning documents, has been translated by MRT Jakarta through a number of projects in the field. The focus of development includes the provision of public space, the development of mixed use areas, the improvement of pedestrian connectivity, and intermodal integration.
One example is the Dukuh Atas Transport Hub which integrates the Transjakarta bus stop, commercial areas, offices, and hotels in one building.
Then, the Martha Christina Tiahahu Literacy Park in Blok M. According to Sagita, the park not only serves as a green open space, but also a public space that can be used by the community for activities. The presence of commercial functions within the area also makes the operation of the park not entirely dependent on government budgets.
In addition, the company is developing the Lebak Bulus Park and Ride, Blok M Hub, and the Dukuh Atas Multi-Use Crossing Bridge (JPM) which connects Sudirman Station with the Jabodebek LRT.
Various projects are being built through different funding schemes. In addition to the MRT Jakarta investment, its development also utilizes the contribution of the Building Floor Coefficient (KLB) incentive and business cooperation with various strategic partners.
"The development of business and TOD areas in the MRT does not use the APBD. So we have to find funding outside the APBD, either through KLB contributions, MRT investment itself, or business cooperation with the private sector," said Sagita.
Through these various projects, MRT Jakarta wants to show that the development of public transportation does not stop when the tracks are completed or the train starts operating. Rather, from the area around the station, the company hopes to create a more connected city space, friendly to pedestrians, and able to move economic activities.
"So maybe from some of the examples above, in fact, the developments in the area can provide a multiplier effect. So it's not just the transformation of the space and the city transit, but it can also add other values," he said.