Pedestrian Deck Dukuh Atas: Merangkai Jakarta dalam Satu Lingkaran

Pendestrian deck mrt jakarta (Mrt jakarta)

JAKARTA - For thousands of people who change modes every morning in Dukuh Atas, the journey has not always been simple. Their steps are often extended by fragmented areas, forcing pedestrians to turn before reaching the next mode.

This is the condition that MRT Jakarta wants to answer through the construction of the Dukuh Atas Pedestrian Deck. Not only cutting down travel time, this pedestrian deck is also designed to connect areas that have been separated.

Advisor of the Program Management Office Division of the Jakarta MRT, Agus Trihan, said that the construction of this pedestrian deck was based on the current condition of the Dukuh Atas area, which is still fragmented into four quadrants.

The area includes the MRT Dukuh Atas and BNI City areas, Sudirman Station and Dukuh Atas LRT, Wisma 46 BNI Complex, to the Landmark area which is connected to the Transjakarta Stop and the Jakarta LRT.

"We see that there is a need for pedestrian infrastructure development, which can connect these four areas. So the main concern is connecting these four areas first," said Agus at the MRT Jakarta Transport Hub, Thursday, July 30.

According to Agus, inter-regional connectivity is the basis for the birth of the pedestrian deck design. Based on the results of the feasibility study or feasibility study (FS) conducted by MRT Jakarta together with Japan, it shows that the construction of the Dukuh Atas pedestrian deck can accelerate the movement of public transportation users in the area.

"Intermodal transfer is indeed a two to three minute savings. But the most significant thing is from the Landmark to Shangri-La. Now, people have to go down, turn around, and then get on again. With this pedestrian deck, it can save about four to five minutes," he said.

Agus explained that with the pedestrian deck, pedestrians no longer have to cross and turn to change modes of transportation. A more concise line is expected to make intermodal travel more comfortable while encouraging people to switch to public transportation.

Why a Circle?

Behind its function as a link between modes, the Pedestrian Deck of Dukuh Atas has a story about the face of Jakarta. Instead of using a conventional bridge design, MRT Jakarta chose a circular shape as a tribute to the design of the Sudirman-Thamrin corridor which was built since the era of the first President of the Republic of Indonesia, Soekarno.

Agus explained that the corridor was marked from the beginning by a series of roundabouts that became the identity of the Jakarta city space.

"If you look at the axis of the city, Senayan Roundabout is round, Semanggi is round, HI Roundabout is round, the Horse Statue is round. That's why we also make this deck round so as not to interfere with the design harmony that our Founding Father has made," said Agus.

The design choice makes the Dukuh Atas pedestrian deck not present as a new element that stands alone, but rather a part of the continuity of the Sudirman-Thamrin corridor landscape that was formed decades ago.

Not Just Passing By, But Enjoying the City

The philosophy is translated into a design that not only directs people to walk faster. The pedestrian deck is also designed as a public space that gives people the opportunity to stop for a moment to enjoy Jakarta.

On the north and south sides, Agus continued, the pedestrian deck is made wider so that pedestrians can stop without disturbing the flow of movement. It is also designed with a load of 500 kilograms (kg) per square meter.

"In addition to being able to see the Sudirman Statue, maybe we also want to try to make a kayak gallery of history. So when people see the statue, they can also get additional information like that," he said.

The pedestrian deck section that crosses the West Canal Flood is also designed to be more open so that sunlight and natural air circulation can still enter. This approach is part of the sustainability concept applied by MRT Jakarta through the use of natural ventilation and sunlight to reduce electricity use during the day.

Commercial areas on the pedestrian deck are also limited. Activation of the area will only be filled by push carts and vending machines, while the main source of income comes from advertising space facing Jalan Sudirman.

"Retail is actually just a complement. We won't make a restaurant or an area for people to hang out. So it's more towards push carts or vending machines. So there will be advertisements facing the street. It will be the main source of income for this deck itself," said Agus.

Not only comfortable, continued Agus, the pedestrian deck is also designed to be accessible to all walks of life. MRT Jakarta has prepared elevators, ramps, escalators, and tactile guide lines for people with disabilities, the elderly, wheelchair users, and parents carrying strollers.

"For those with special needs, there is indeed an elevator, then we also make ramps and escalators. For wheelchairs, there is also an elevator and on the deck there will be tactile guides," said Agus.

When Five Minutes Becomes Meaningful

For urban observer Yayat Supriatna, the main strength of the pedestrian deck is not in its shape. He said the most important thing is a more human walking experience.

According to Yayat, the concept of walkability is not merely to make it easier for people to move from place to place, but to make pedestrians feel valued as users of urban spaces.

"Walkability means ease for pedestrians to access existing facilities. People are happy, happy, humanized," he said.

Yayat assessed that the ease of switching between modes of transportation is an attraction for people to leave private vehicles. Even saving a few minutes of time has a big meaning.

"If you save time, you will help those who are in a hurry. Especially for people with disabilities, parents, the elderly, children," he said.