Analyzing Jakarta’s Public Spaces

The Cost of Private Ownership and Management

Abstract

This study examines the impact of private ownership and management of public spaces in Jakarta on its quality of publicness. Jakarta has faced challenges in providing open public spaces and green areas due to financial constraints, leading the government to involve the private sector. However, this approach was unprecedented in the country, and the result was yet to have proper analysis, thus making its effectiveness doubtful. Jakarta lacks specific regulations for public spaces, contributing to management confusion and failure to meet public green open space requirements set in 1965. This research fills a gap in discourse by employing an index of publicness to assess urban spaces. Methodologically, the research utilized a mixed-method approach comprising surveys and interviews with 229 participants at four case study locations: Taman Monas, Taman Menteng, Tribeca Park, and Hutan Kota by Plataran. The study found that the involvement of private sectors in the management of publicly owned open space resulted in a low-only 29%-publicness level. The study emphasizes the need for Jakarta to establish robust regulations that prioritize public access and democratic participation in the management of urban spaces. Clear guidelines are essential to mitigate the negative effects of private sector involvement, ensuring fair distribution of resources and fostering a sense of ownership and belonging among the city's diverse population.