Lenny Tristia Tambun & Nur Yasmin, Jakarta – Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan said some of the government buildings left vacant after the Indonesian capital is relocated to East Kalimantan will be transformed into green open spaces.
"After the relocation, we hope there would be more green open spaces. Former office buildings could become strategically located parks; it would be great, but some of them we could be repurposed as office buildings," Anies said on Wednesday.
Another option is to turn some of the buildings, such as the State Palace, into historical sites.
"These places have a long history. However, regarding the decision on the capital relocation, we will continue to advance our economy, tourism and business. Especially when Jakarta is going to be the global business gateway to Indonesia and its financial center," he added.
Jakarta still lacks green spaces, which currently only make up 9.8 percent of the city's total land area. According to the regional urban planning regulation, every city must have at least 30 percent green open spaces by 2030, but the Jakarta government can only provide between 25 and 30 hectares of the 250 hectares required per year.
A gubernatorial regulation provides for a 50 percent tax cut on lots that serve as green open spaces and which the public can access free of charge.
Anies said there were some empty lots along Jalan M.H. Thamrin, Jalan Sudirman, Jalan Rasuna Said, Jalan Gatot Subroto and Jalan M.T. Haryono, which would be identified and investigated.