The image of alleyways in densely populated settlements as slums, dirty and stinky immediately disappears during a visit to Makassar. There are beautiful, child-friendly alleys that become comfortable public spaces.
By
RENY SRI AYU ARMAN
·4 minutes read
RENY SRI AYU ARMAN
A man passes through an alley in Mappala Village, Rappocini District, Makassar, Sunday (14/8/2022). The Makassar City Government has programmed tourist alleys since the beginning of this year.
Since the beginning of this year, some lorong (alleys in residential areas) in Makassar have become clean, beautiful and nice to visit. Others even seem to be competing for the title of "Instagrammable spot" on social media.
Strolling down some of the lorong in Makassar these days is like walking down a clean and colorful street. The walls and fences along the left and right are filled with various illustrations. There are pictures of children playing, abstract lines, pictures of historical places, to natural landscapes.
There are also rows of flower pots at the edge of the alleys. Some residents plant vines across the top of the alleyways that function like a canopy. Some have decorated this space with colorful umbrellas hung upside down, some with lanterns. At night, the allleyways become bright and lively with twinkling lights.
This picture, for example, can be seen in Lorong 2 on Jalan Pelita Raya, Rappocini district. At the entrance of the alley, as soon as you enter, you will be greeted with interesting murals on the high walls left and right. Rows of plants also provide a shady atmosphere. There is almost no trash. At night, colorful lights and street lamps illuminate the alley.
“Young people are creative with their ideas. Sometimes, we parents also provide input. In essence, it [the alley] is decorated according to joint will and agreement. Of course, this way everyone can enjoy and be satisfied. And it it not only the ideas, the process also involves all residents," said Rosmini, head of RW 001 Ballaparang Village, Rappocini, on Thursday (18/8/2022).
To decorate the alleys in her neighborhood, Rosmini asked for the residents' willingness and agreement to collect money. Residents enthusiastically welcomed the call. Starting with Rp 10,000 (67 US cents), then Rp 20,000 and a larger amount collected by the residents voluntarily, eventually they collected Rp 1 million. This was the initial capital to buy paint.
Involve residents
The process of beautifying the alleyway involved all residents, from designing, drawing, choosing colors, to the execution. In fact, some residents came just to cheer them on or to bring snacks and tea.
All residents were happy to follow the process and finally enjoy the results. "When the paint runs out and there are still unfinished drawings, everyone is excited to collect more money until they are finished," she said.
RENY SRI AYU ARMAN
One of the tourist alleys in Ballaparang Village, Rappocini District, Makassar, Saturday (13/8/2022).
On the left side of the aisle's entrance is a barcode. When this barcode is scanned, it displays data about the alleys, residents and various things about population, the social and culinary scene and the area’s potential. Information about the Pelita Bangsa Waste Bank in RW 001 is included. This garbage bank is one of the best in Makassar.
In another alley by the canal on Jalan Rappocini Raya, this densely populated area is also decorated with various murals and colors. The clean street is decorated with colorful lanterns, making this alley different from those around it.
"Hopefully, residents in the surrounding alleys can see what has been done and are grateful to be able to help organize their alleyways as well," said Mardiah, head of the local RW.
There are many other lorong that are being decorated. In each subdistrict at least four to seven alleys are decorated by residents, generally they are 1-2 meters wide. The city with a population of 1.4 million people consists of 15 districts and 153 subdistricts.
Alleys of leisure
Lorong Wisata (alley of leisure), abbreviated as Longwis, has recently become a familiar word to the ears of Makassar City residents. This is also the Makassar City government's program to change the view of the city’s network of alleys, which have been synonymous with the idea of slums and dirt. So, some alleys have been turn into places like cafes, courtyards and kindergarten classrooms, playgrounds to three-dimensional spaces.
These alleys have themes and names. There are those who use the name of the fruit, the name of the cities in the world, there is also a name that smells of religious term or which is synonymous with hope. For example, Ceria Longwis, Cherry Longwis, Strawberry Longwis, Attaubah Longwis and Silves Longwis. This naming generally involves the agreement of the citizens.
We also hope that this program will have other impacts, such as an economic activity.
Mayor of Makassar, M Ramdhan Pomanto, said that when creating this program, in the city government's imagination, it was not only about how to make the alleys clean and beautiful. However, it also fosters social interaction between residents, mutual cooperation and togetherness, to the involvement and empowerment of citizens, especially women.
"We also hope that this program will have other impacts, such as an economic activity," he said.
Each alley will also be encouraged to have superior products.
