Jakarta 'Poor' Green Open Space Prevents Floods, Head Of DPRD: Don't Just Surrounded By Buildings

A corner of Jakarta was taken at dusk (Photo by Nada Hanifah on Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The DKI Provincial Government is reminded to continue to increase the capacity of green open spaces (RTH) to prevent floods that often inundate the capital city. The status of a big city does not mean that it is only filled with skyscrapers.

This was conveyed by the Chairman of the DKI Jakarta DPRD, Prasetio Edi Marsudi, while attending the Village-level Development Planning Consultation (Musrenbang) for the preparation of the 2023 Regional Development Work Plan (RKPD) in Cempaka Putih Timur Village, Central Jakarta.

Prasetio said, even though Jakarta is a metropolitan city, it does not mean that it only contains high-rise buildings. Green space also needs to be expanded in order to absorb water.

"For example, Japan, not all buildings in the city have gardens. So, in the future, Jakarta should not only be surrounded by buildings. Where is the water absorption? So this is what causes flooding. Increase the green open interaction space," said Prasetio, quoted from the DPRD's official website, Thursday. , February 3rd.

The PDI-P politician asked the Water Resources Service to focus more on normalizing the river. He warned the subordinates of the Governor of DKI Jakarta Anies Baswedan to prevent the increase in the conversion of open space land functions.

Central Park New York City (Photo by Jermaine Ee on Unsplash)

Photo by Afif Kusuma on Unsplash

"If the green line is turned into housing and apartments, where will the water go? I ask my friends here, especially from the SDA (Water Resources) Sub-Department, to concentrate here," said Prasetio.

Prasetio views that, so far, most UKPTs at the kelurahan level often apply for normative expenditures and do the same work every year in Musrenbang.

Therefore, he encouraged the SDA Sub-Department and the Bina Marga Sub-Department to synergize to make breakthroughs and efforts in overcoming the flood problem.

"Bina Marga is trying to check for road elevation, it must be casted. Now for Water Resources, please include budgeting for supporting tools to reduce water discharge or inundation more quickly," added Prasetio Edi Marsudi.