Experiencing Dichotomies: High-End and Bottom-End of Architecture

In my professional journey as an architect, I have had the opportunity to work on both high-end and social housing projects. The high-end perspective exposed me to the construction of buildings for privileged individuals, on the other hand, my involvement in affordable housing and social housing projects allowed me to address the needs of marginalized communities and witness firsthand the transformative power of architecture in improving lives.

Through that experience, architecture has become a canvas for contrasting forces, revealing the power of tension between formality and fluidity, meticulous order and organic growth, gleaming innovation and enduring tradition, extravagance and accessibility. In the growth of a city, these contrasting poles should ideally become inseparable entities that complement each other. However, in recent times, I have observed an excessive bias towards one side, where all capital converges, neglecting the other side, which is the underprivileged citizens or more specifically, the urban poor. As a result, architects and even basic housing are becoming increasingly unaffordable not just for the urban poor, but even for the middle class.

From 2013 to 2018, forced evictions have taken place in Jakarta’s Kampung Kota (urban villages) or informal housing, resulting in more than 1,000 families losing their homes. Similarly, it is also happened in my hometown Bandung, over a relatively long period of time, there have been at least three forced evictions in “Kampung Kota” Tamansari, Dago Elos, and Stasiun Barat, while we still can see the upper class can easily built an apartment, hotel, resort even in the protected and conserved area.

Nearly 60% of Bandung citizen live in Kampung Kota, making it the main source of affordable settlements option for informal workers and students in the urban area. Furthermore, 97% of the workforce is employed in the informal sector. Despite this, stakeholders fail to understand the importance of Kampung Kota and informality in urban development. Every period of time informal settlements in the city face gentrification, and there is a persistent narrative that informality is dirty and messy. This is why I am interested in learning more about Kampung Kota and informality. I believe rather than seen as a problem, we should see Informality as potential in the urban development of Bandung and other Indonesian cities.

Within the modernist development paradigm, eviction and the suppression of informality in cities are often seen as the first step towards a gradual process of “upgrading” families, supposedly leading to societal improvement. However, stakeholders consistently overlook the fact that this process is incomplete, and mostly fallacious. The crucial subsequent step, often neglected, is to fulfil the basic needs of those affected. Relocation or rebuilding new workplaces and housing is not enough. Forced evictions create significant new problems for the victims, causing substantial psychological, social and economic hardship.

This duality in my experiences has shaped my understanding of the contrasting realities within urban development. It has revealed that architecture itself is just one piece of a much larger puzzle. To create an impartial, inclusive, and equitable built environment, I need to delve deeper into the urban’s dynamics. Understanding the economic forces that generate the city, the political landscape that governs it, the power of civil society movements that have shaped it, and all the factors that fueled my passion to learn more about integrated urban design development.

Navigating “Kampung Kota”: Evaluating its Significance as a Catalyst for Urban Transformation

Informal Settlements, urban villages, or Kampung Kota, pose a significant challenge in urban planning due to their vital role as a primary source of housing for workers and even the majority of Bandung’s residents. It is undeniable that many buildings in these urban villages are substandard and have ambiguous legal status. On the other hand, these urban villages are often strategically located within urban areas, which gives them immense potential to intensify the density of a city’s urban region.

My deeper involvement with the polemic of Kampung Kota, slum areas, and never-ending forced evictions began when I embarked on my undergraduate thesis focused on the resilience of urban village residents amidst eviction conflicts. Through my research, I encountered 24 families who persevered in the midst of crumbling surroundings. They rebuilt, resisted, and fiercely defended their homes. This resilience can be understood by recognizing that for Kampung Kota residents, a home is not merely a place to sleep and reside, but also a space for socialization, cultural expression, and economic activities. Unlike modern individualistic families, Kampung Kota serves as a melting pot for its residents. This realization opened my eyes to the fact that the development of Kampung Kota requires attention not only to the physical elements but also to the social aspects of the community.

After I’ve been into professional works as architect in Akanoma Studio, I had the opportunity to be involved in a social housing project known as Kampung Susun, initiated by the Jakarta Provincial Government to provide housing compensation for the residents of Kampung Kota Bukit Duri who were the victims of forced evictions in 2017. The planning of this public housing project was executed through a participatory method, In contrast to the typical top-down approach in architectural projects, where all considerations and decisions lie in the hands of the architect, this method took a different approach by involving the residents as users in the planning process. The architect’s role extended beyond being a designer to that of a facilitator, engaging in discussions with the community throughout the entire process.

The participatory method proved successful in preparing the residents mentally and psychologically for the transition from living in landed housing to vertical housing. Despite the initial disruption caused by the forced evictions, the method facilitated a smoother transition in the relocation process. As a result, vertical housing units were created, accommodating 90 residents to relocate to the vertical housing. The physical setting of the building was designed to adapt to the characteristics of the original urban village, allowing for the integration of social and economic activities within the new environment.

From both of my experiences, I have come to realize that intensifying urban village areas and transitioning from landed housing to vertical housing are challenging endeavors. However, there is strong evidence to suggest that moving toward high-density cities and transitioning to vertical housing can be a viable solution for creating livable, compact and sustainable urban environments. While it may present various obstacles, such as social, cultural, and infrastructural adjustments, embracing these changes can lead to more efficient use of land, improved accessibility to amenities and services, and reduced urban sprawl. By promoting compact and well-designed vertical housing, we can foster a sense of community, preserve green spaces, and mitigate environmental impact, ultimately striving towards a more sustainable future for our cities.

But, a key question remains: How can we achieve a compact, high-density city through a transition from landed housing to vertical housing, without sparking social conflict or violence?

Achieving a Sustainable Urban Future: The Vision for a Dense, Compact, and Livable City

The reason why density and urban space intensification are crucial issues, in my opinion, is because they can help to generates more affordable housing. Moreover, compact and well-planned urban areas can foster a sense of community, improve access to services and amenities, and promote more sustainable modes of transportation. Ultimately, prioritizing density and urban space intensification can contribute to creating more environmentally friendly and livable cities for present and future generations. With an adequate level of density, More people can be accommodated to live in the city center, benefiting from improved facilities and infrastructure. By optimizing density, cities can create vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable urban environments that offer a higher quality of life for their residents.

Furthermore it can curb the growth of urban sprawl, which has been one of the main causes of the loss of green areas and reduced water absorption on the outskirts of cities. By promoting higher density and intensifying land use within existing urban areas, we can limit the expansion of built-up areas into natural and agricultural lands. This approach allows us to preserve valuable green spaces, promote sustainable land use, and enhance the resilience of cities in the face of environmental challenges such as climate change and water scarcity.

it is also Enhanced economic vitality Dense urban areas tend to foster vibrant economies. When people live and work in close proximity, it can generate a diverse range of businesses, services, and cultural amenities. Concentrated populations support local businesses, encourage entrepreneurship, and attract investment. The proximity of workers and consumers can also create opportunities for collaboration and innovation.

After I learned and armed with the knowledge gained from my experiences and the lessons learned from the expertise, I am dedicated to establishing a system that fosters compact, dense, and livable cities in Bandung.

Contributing to the urban development by establishing non-governmental organizations (NGOs) dedicated to advocating for the urban poor to access decent housing, and by collaborating or directly engaging with influential institutions responsible for urban policies, we can make a significant impact. These NGOs can work tirelessly to raise awareness about the housing needs of underprivileged urban populations, conduct research to support their advocacy efforts, lobby, and initiates civil society movement to forced the government to create policies that prioritize affordable housing and social housing programs.

By actively participating in policy-making processes and holding positions within influential institutions, we can directly contribute to shaping urban policies and ensuring that the housing needs of marginalized communities are prioritized. This involvement allows us to be at the forefront of decision-making and enables us to effectively advocate for equitable access to housing for all members of society. Together, through these efforts, we can strive towards creating more inclusive and just urban environments that provide decent housing for the urban poor.

By leveraging technology, sustainable design, and innovative solutions, I aim to create an urban environment that is both environmentally conscious and socially inclusive. This commitment is rooted in my belief that impartial architectural and urban development practices are vital for building a better future, where all individuals have access to safe, affordable, and dignified housing.