The "TAMAN MENTENG" Today

The building of Taman Menteng back in 2006 was full of controversy. But as time goes by, the former Stadion Menteng has now been officially known as Taman Menteng.

Parks are symbols of well-sustained planning in a city. That is why the birth of this green area had given hope to the citizens of Jakarta, the over-crowded city. This multi-functional park has various activites offered to people. Communities can interact through sports like basketball, soccer, skateboarding, bicycling, etc; organizing a small orchestra; implementing an exhibition; or just simply take a walk and enjoy the breeze for a while. The whole concept of this park was so well-thought that it results to a modern and lively public space.


But a year after, I took a second trip to this park and it was way different than how it had been years ago. The difference was not in the activities, but more in the maintenance and caring for this place by the whole community. Vandalism started spreading to various places in this park. Graffitis are all over the place starting from the flower beds, the walls, even the trash cans. It also became harder for cleaning service to cover their job since people don't seem to care of their own trash.


These symptomps are gained over a quick observation by the writer on January 25, 2009 early in the morning. I cannot imagine other possible inappropriateness occuring in this high-aimed public park. The people whom we want to give our contribution to seemed not ready in so many ways.


This continues to another issue. In college I learned a lot about the negativities of commercial private open spaces that are missjugded as a public space. The issue is about gaining profit by immitating the functions of public spaces. This phenomenon creates a huge gap between people who can afford being in this space and people who couldn't. It is said to cause more flaw in our social conditions.

But seeing how people treat the spaces that are voluntarily given to them, rises a thought. No wonder affording people tend to exclude themselves from social-intented spaces. The logic-gap of caring and maintaining is a very strong factor for exclusivism. Senses of possesing creates a certain behaviour that makes us care. Without it, we can easily let it be destroyed.


Before planning a beautiful hope of a city. It's better to reflect on how every social layer of people in Jakarta might react to the concept.

Before asking for your own rights, it's always necessary to check whether you have done your responsibilities.