Bali News

PDI-P is still the winner party in Bali. Even its cadres still hold Bali 1 position. As well as Denpasar Regent and several regents in Bali, ride the political vehicle lead by Bung Karno’s daughter, Megawati. Then why, to realize Bung Karno Park that has reached final agreement in the governmental time of Badung Regent, Ratmadi, Denpasar Regent Puspayoga and Bali Governor, Dewa Beratha is gone now? Even certain dialog to change that area is going to be a mall appears.

Formerly central government of Badung regency never been desolated from businessman or ruler as their target. The reason is within its strategic location and wide land for about 5. 56hectares.

Formerly Badung central government location was burnt when there was massive turmoil on October 21st, 1999. At that time, Megawati failed in a presidential election on MPR meeting. He lost from Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur).

Balinese angry with that kind of political “game.” Finally, hundred of tress along the street hewed, tens of traffic lamp broke and several governmental buildings burnt (until today there are no culprit been found). Besides Golkar building at Buluh Indah Street, complex of Badung Regent Office in Lumintang also ravaged massively. That complex which is known as Puspem Badung – Badung Central Government – almost vanished completely. Only small part of the buildings which were saved from the rage of fire.

It has been in a long time that land neglected and overgrown by bushes. That place also occasionally crimes and immoral doing takes place. Finally in 2005, there is a dialog to build Bung Karno Park at that location. Even in that year also, in the time where Ratmadi Regent was in power, Puspayoga and Governor Dewa Beratha, the design of that park was contested by the Bali Bappeda – Regional Development Division –. The juries consist of historian, humanist, economic figure, tourism and architect.

From the final result, it has been decided that Nyoman Nuarta design as the best first. Nuarta design and fourth other best design were considered fulfilled the criterion that was covered historical value, esthetic, physic and economy/tourism.

On of the former committee of that contest, Prof. Dr. I Wayan Ardika, on Sunday (November 15th) justified that on the former land of Badung central government was planned to build Bung Karno Park on it. Even the design is held in a contest. As the winner was Nyoman Nuarta. The participants came from Bali and other area. The appraisal was conducted in Bappeda Bali office, and then the result of those designs had been showed in Museum Perjuangan Rakyat Bali. Ardika who also the dean of UNUD Faculty of Letter also said that according to the plan, the park will completed by Bung Karno sculpture.

The existence of Bung Karno sculpture is very important because of his affinity with Balinese people. Not merely because her mother comes from Buleleng but also with his nationalism and marhenisme – viewed the poor people as the most important concerned problem – as well as his Bhineka points together with his divinity is closed to the universal value that applied also by Balinese people.

Meanwhile the head of Bappeda Provinsi Bali, Nengah Suarca, have not yet give any comment in concern with that plan that still couldn’t realize. His party confessed that he had once heard about that contest, when he still in economic department but not too followed the information. “Let me check that idea first,” he said.

Even though there is already a design concerning that park but it still haven’t realized yet. Even after there was an area arrangement in fact that area called as “City Park of Denpasar.” As a green area, that park has already utilized by the people for their family recreation.

It was not long for Denpasar citizen enjoyed green area in the middle of city’s hustle and bustle, now there is a dialog to change that area into a mall. What kind of effect will that plan bring to the urban arrangement aspect?

One lecturer from Udayana University, Putu Rumawan Salain said that the idea to make formerly Puspem Badung as a Public Space or open green area (urban park) had appeared once when the building on that area burnt.

But nowadays there is rumor for mall development on that area. Rumawan Salain worried that it will triggers traffic jam. He said that if that land become business central area such as mall, willingly or not its urban design should be studied precisely, especially for its traffic impact. Gatot Subroto Street, he said, is one of the traffic jam critical point in Denpasar. If there is a mall at there, that traffic critical point will raise, more crowded than before. So that plan need further study.

Related to the UU No. 26/2007 about space in addition with Perda Tata Ruang Bali – Regional Policy about Space Arrangement in Bali – green area is needed for about 30 percents from the whole width of the city. It is absolutely correct to make the formerly Badung government office as the open green area where public can breath fresh air and get rid of stress.

Space Arrangement Observer from University of Ngurah Rai Denpasar, Ir. Ketut Witarka Yudiata, M.T., said that the government should in public space’ side (communal space). Since he fully agreed that land is utilized for urban park. Hence, people who don’t have large space for their home yard will have an open space for gathering and enjoying green atmosphere.

”We saw Lapangan Puputan Badung, Niti Mandala Renon, every time filled with people. Means that the society is indeed need that such an empty space,” he said. If the government not in public’ side, the urban area will tend to be central business district.

UNUD rector, Prof. Dr. dr. Made Bakta also agreed if that land remain as open green area. “If I can give a suggestion, the formerly Badung central government remain as urban park for public space. Instead of build a mall on it,” he said. Denpasar need a green open space. The idea was great for that land as a city’s park. It’s proven that after it becomes a park, many people utilized it. If a mall builds on it, in traffic and environmental arrangement point of view, that area will more crowded than before.

News by Bali Post