The trend of land optimization to the subsidence of the Covid-19 pandemic raises the needs of the interaction of residents outside the home. A number of open cafes have now become an oasis in the capital.
By
ERIKA KURNIA
·5 minutes read
MIS FRANSISKA DEWI
A number of visitors enjoying food and drinks in the backyard of Chillax Sudirman, Jakarta, Saturday (11/2/2023).
Rows of cafes and two-storey restaurants with several stalls look striking amid Jakarta skyscrapers. The complex named Chillax is located in the Sudirman business district, at the center of Jakarta.
Kyla Zahra (21) took time to come from Depok, West Java, to experience alfresco dining in an open European-style setting. From the menu she ordered a Rp 70,000 meal that tempted her taste. It was quite expensive for her, but she was satisfied.
"The place is interesting, it’s in the middle of the city. Initially, I thought the area was spacious from what I saw on social media, apparently not, but exciting and not disappointing. According to the plan, I will return here again," said Kyla, on Saturday (11/2/2023).
The area, which was inaugurated in early December 2022, is close to Setiabudi MRT station and the Karet Transjakarta bus stop.
An employee whose office is not far from Chillax, Nurul (42) said the place was a choice to eat during office breaks. The place is open-air and suitable for releasing fatigue when work piles up at the office.
"There is a lot of choice of food here and rarely found in the mall, suitable for gathering with friends," Nurul said.
Chillax director Jane Kenny said initially Chillax was designed for offices. However, because the property sector was sluggish, the developer Keppel Land and In Hype Group cooperated to build the concept of open-space cafes. "We realize that if it is made enclosed like a mall, there are too many competitors. Open spaces such as this are also needed. Chillax is chilled and relaxed," she said.
Located 5 kilometers from Chillax, One Satrio on Jl. Mega Kuningan, Setiabudi, South Jakarta, also offers an open space and various contemporary culinary outlets. The 3.6-hectare area is surrounded by office buildings and large malls. One Satrio is open to the public from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Open spaces such as this are also needed. Chillax is chilled and relaxed.
In addition to eating and drinking, visitors can also take pictures in Instagram installations. This place is pet friendly and there is a children's playground; it is great for just relaxing and enjoying a green open space.
Utari Diah (31), a resident of Kalibata, South Jakarta, came with her child on a weekday because the weekend was considered too crowded. "A place like this can be reproduced. During the pandemic I frequently visited open spaces where there was a place to play and I left the mall," she said.
MIS FRANSISKA DEWI
Main alley of Chillax Sudirman, Jakarta, Saturday (11/2/2023).
Deputy general manager of PT Jakarta Setiabudi Internasional, Risnanty K Putri, revealed that the land where One Satrio stands was originally for offices, apartments, hotels and retail. The pandemic changed the plan.
"Made with a dominant open space, while waiting and seeing economic trends and demands," said Risnanty, January 2023.
The area that was inaugurated in December 2022 was conceptualized as a community space. "We provide various facilities. The one that has a fee is only the shower room and lockers for cyclists. So, cyclists can leave their bicycles, take a shower and immediately go to work," she said.
A similar experience is offered by Cipete Urban Forest, in South Jakarta. The 1.7-hectare area with the concept of an urban forest was opened on 3 Sept. 2022. There are culinary outlets and play areas for children.
Old trends
Property observer Arief Raharjo said the land use for commercial areas had become a trend since before the pandemic. Old buildings are now used as a popular hangout, such as Peruri's assets that changed to M Bloc in South Jakarta and the Filateli building became Pos Bloc in Central Jakarta. This condition was driven by the presence of excess offices and decreased demand.
"The developers are then looking for a type of temporary development concept of land that cannot be utilized optimally," he said.
Consumerism observer Idi Subandy Ibrahim saw the trend in society today had not been separated from the influence of a two-year activity restriction due to Covid-19 pandemic. The desire of the community for direct interaction with the environment and humans also supports the presence of such public spaces.
"There is a need that people must be present in real terms in the real world, not only in cyberspace," Idi said.
This trend, according to Idi, is inseparable from the urban phenomenon of limited public space or green space. The presence of new open spaces by the private sector overcomes the limited space needed by the urban community. "Open spaces that have no business elements or without any attraction, people are reluctant to come. People want to come because there is an attraction, in addition to recreation, for culinary and meeting places or for chatting," said a city planning observer from Trisakti University, Yayat Supriatna.
Open spaces that are increasingly in demand answers to the anxiety of Jakarta residents who live in a narrow space in their house, are crammed on public transportation, trapped in traffic jams, confined to work in an office and eating in a room or at shopping centers. Residents need open spaces to contemplate and interact.
"Instead of being tormented to travel home in a tired condition, it’s better to hang out, heal, enjoy the atmosphere and release boredom in an open space," Yayat said. (Z02)
