Bali News

So far there is not a single religious leader, academician, expert, observer, NGO, and tourism practitioner who express their agreement to an idea to extend the maximum limit of bulding height up to 33 meters threw by Dewa Ngurah Swastha. They are even standing against the idea to allow building higher than 15 meters.

Tourism veteran who once served as the chairman of travel agent association (ASITA), I Gusti Bagus Yudhara, firmly disagrees with the idea to allow buildings to go beyond 15 meters height. He believes that one exception will innitiate more. If Bali gave exception to hospitals, schools, campuses, and supermarkets to be build higher than 15 meters, time will come when other buildings are getting similar exception with various arguments.

Other reasons of his disagreement includes creating more mess and making Bali to loose its unique characteristics. If Bali lost its unique characteristics which represent its identity, it lost its appeal to attract tourists to come. “If it happens, it brings significant lost to all of us, as tourism has been the backbone of Bali economy in for decades”, he said.

Yudhara suggests Bali to remain with the original regulation of building height of 15 meters which has been in force for this long. Response to space constrains needs more comprehensive solutions instead of instaneous ones, for example by spreading development out to north and east Bali, by keeping local space zoning allocation in mind. Requirement for this to happen is infrastructure availability, especially road network.

Tourism observer Putu Juliadi said the idea is not reflect the image of Balinese comunity which is inherent to arts, culture, and religion. In will only bring Bali into a bad situation in the future for the sake of certain individuals. Idea to extend building height limitation from 15 meters to 33 meters is not the right solution to transformation of land function. He believes that the best solution is through spiritual apporoach by ceasing greediness.

Chairman of Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association (PHRI) – Bali Chapter, Tjokorda Artha Ardhana Sukawati said that the idea needs careful assessment to avoid negative impact to existing socio-cultural structure. He envisages that currently the adjustment is not necessary.