Quoting Solo Technopark Which Is 'Turn Back', Now Becomes A New Icon In Surakarta

Minister of Economy Airlangga Hartarto accompanied by Shopee Indonesia Executive Director Handhika Jahja is reviewing the Solo Creativetech event at Solo Technopark. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Solo or Surakarta may be familiarly known as a cultured city, but now the city in Central Java has developed into a modern city.

This can be proven from the achievements and development in the city of Solo, one of which was when Solo entered the ranks of 10 smart cities in Indonesia. With the concept of a smart city, Solo integrates the application of technology to improve the quality of life of people in various aspects, from the social sector to the economy.

One of the steps taken to support the smart city in Solo is to present a creative public space called Solo Technopark.

Actually, Solo Technopark has been around since 2009, but now the public space is rejuvenated to collaborate with many strategic parties, one of which is a technology company Shopee.

Located in Jebres, Surakarta, Central Java, the updated Solo Technopark was officially opened by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartanto and Surakarta Mayor Gibran Rakabuming.

"The young people of Solo can develop skills and abilities here (Solo Technopark). There is a meeting room for young people from the UNS campus, ISI and the Textile Academy and other students can gather to channel ideas and creativity in the hubs that are already available," said Gibran, in his statement, quoted Wednesday, February 8.

The Solo Technopark Science and Technology area now consists of new facilities in the form of basketball courts, futsal fields and fountain areas that can be accessed by Solo residents for free without the need to issue a check.

In this first phase of revitalization, Shopee contributed to providing a number of new facilities.

This facility is a communal area that can be used to create innovations, as well as the implementation of various activities including bouldervard fountains, basketball courts, and futsal fields.

In addition to a number of communal areas for recreation, Shopee also contributed to handing over two supporting facilities for Solo residents to innovate through technology, namely the Sembrani Building and the Gumarang Building.

The Sembrani building is designated as a tech hub as a space to conduct research, technology development and innovation.

Meanwhile, the Gumarang Building is designated as a Shopee office building which is used as an office center, to provide continuous support for the growth of local MSMEs in Solo and its surroundings.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto also commented on the renewal of the facility at Solo Technopark.

According to him, the public space is ready to become a place to produce quality digital human resources in line with the program to accelerate national digital transformation.

"The city of Surakarta has a strategic role and this has become a small and medium industrial city, a service city in the last 15 years and of course that its growth can reach 5.8 percent. Solo Technopark has become one of the icons for creative talents," said Airlangga in his remarks.

In particular, the public space, which is a science and technology area owned by the Solo City Government, will function to develop more innovative business incubation, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Shopee Indonesia Executive Director Handhika Jahja said that these enhanced facilities can be utilized by MSME players and the creative industry to develop ideas, build networks, and share knowledge between communities.

Because in this public space, people can access co-working space which is equipped with internet network facilities for free.

"We are doing this contribution in line with #ShopeeAdaUntukIndonesia's commitment, where we want to expand digital access to more people. We hope that this facility can be utilized, especially MSME players and creative industries who need a place to work and collaborate," said Handhika.

Creative public spaces with qualified facilities such as Solo Techno Park, are certainly expected to trigger community or community activities that can have a positive impact on the growth of the creative economy, arts, and socio-cultural economy.