Jakarta Governor, Anies Baswedan welcomed the arrival of 250 city planners from 40 countries in Technical Tour Introduction event as a part of 55th International Society of City and Regional Planners (Isocarp) Congress.
He explained, development in Jakarta is optimized through collaborative participatory approach. It means, citizens are given a role and involved from planning stage. Thus, its result can be obtained as needed and citizens can get its benefits.
“City 4.0 concept that we share today makes it possible for citizen to take a part in city planning and development,” he said, at City Hall while giving a welcoming speech and opening the Technical Tour Introduction on Monday (9/9/2019).
More than 250 urban experts from 40 countries were invited in the Technical Tour Introduction, which was part of the 55th Congress of the International Society of City, and Regional Planners (ISOCARP), visited the Balkot Farm in the Jakarta City Hall, Monday (9/9).
Urban Experts from 40 Countries Visit Balkot Farm
More than 250 urban experts from 40 countries were invited in the Technical Tour Introduction, which was part of the 55th Congress of the International Society of City, and Regional Planners (ISOCARP), visited the Balkot Farm in the Jakarta City Hall, Monday (9/9/2019).
” It’s a good way to educate the community to provide space for growing vegetables” via BeritaJakarta.id
This moment was also supported by visits from Jakarta Communication, Informatic and Statistic Agency Head, Atika Nur Rahmania and Jakarta Maritime, Agriculture and Food Security Agency, Darjamuni.
Balkot Farm, which is a development of the urban farming concept, received appreciation from urban experts. One of them is Zivile Simkute from Republic of Lithuania.
Simkute said that it could be an example and educate people how limited space can be transformed into urban farming.
“It’s a good way to educate the community to provide space for growing vegetables. We can make urban plants on the roof or make your own garden,” she explained.
It is also able to teach kids how to plant vegetables and consume it for their nutrition. “Surely it can bring good impact on the environment massively, especially in case of climate change and air quality improvement,” she told.
In that occasion, Jakarta Communication, Informatic and Statistic Agency Head, Atika Nur Rahmania gave a presentation on Balkot Farm’s initiatives and facilities. She said, it depends on creativity in which each country often utilized the narrow land as much as possible, as well as implements technology and plants that are useful for their lives.
“We also had explained the function and use of technology as a form of urban farming development,” she closed.
Taiwan and Japan Delegation Visit Balkot Farm
A group of participants from the International Field School Jakarta Urban Kampung Conference from Taiwan and Japan, visited the Balkot Farm, Jakarta City Hall, on Monday (916).
” Balkot Farm concept will also be implemented in the government offices in Jakarta”
The visit itself was directly welcomed by Ika Meilani Untari, Section Head of Public Communication and Information Access for Jakarta Communication, Informatic and Statistic Agency.
On that occasion, Untari shared short stories about Balkot Farm, which is an urban farming pilot project that is a collaboration of several regional working units (SKPD) under Jakarta Provincial Government.
“Balkot Farm concept will also be implemented in the government offices in Jakarta. In this farm, we have planted various productive and medicinal plants,” she expressed.
Vidya, a representative of Rujak Center for Urban Studies admitted that the Balkot Farm project is very interesting and attracted the attention of delegations as it has a connection with the issue of urban villages, which is the subject of discussion at the International Field School Jakarta Urban Kampung Conference.
“Of course the arrangement by planting various types of plants in the City Hall environment creates a more beautiful and healthier government office atmosphere,” she stated.
As for the information, International Field School is a collaborative activity between the Rujak Center for Urban Studies and Kanki Lab. Kyoto University. This activity becomes a forum for the community, professional staff, student and government, in realizing and preserving living space in urban villages.
It has three main activities, namely international conferences, workshops and exhibitions. It has been held since September 16 to 21.
