Youth Empowerment in Urban Kampung Neighborhood Through Placemaking: A Case Study of Bandung and Jakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

The concept of placemaking entails the necessity for practical implementation rather than being solely theoretical or based on planning considerations. Placemaking practices focus on human activities and public spaces. Therefore, the process of placemaking necessitates active involvement and engagement with the community, as it is essential to understand and incorporate the unique needs, values, and aspirations of the residents to create a sense of belonging and identity towards a public space. A unique example is community in “urban kampung” in Indonesia, a prevalent urban neighbourhood archetype characterised by distinct attributes and a conservative community. The urban kampung, with its dense population, poses many issues, one of which is the need for additional public places. The current study focuses on employing the placemaking strategy, specifically targeting children and youth as the primary users, to enhance the provision of activities inside two urban kampungs in Bandung and Jakarta where youth predominate.
Through engagement in projects, this article demonstrates the application of two distinct methodologies between the cities. The strategy in Bandung involved revitalising a previously-neglected area under a highway bridge and transforming it into a suitable football facility. While the strategy in Jakarta concentrated on experimenting with how to organise activities with the children at the urban kampung, both cities have projects aimed at promoting community engagement in public places via the use of placemaking. It is important to acknowledge that children have distinct values, understanding and needs that should be accommodated in public spaces. This study posits that the placemaking strategy may be effectively implemented in small-scale projects, such as creating specific activities or establishing dedicated spaces. Findings indicate that physical attributes are insufficient for a location to be considered excellent; rather, the presence of engaging activities is necessary to enhance its quality.