Jakarta as an Open Air Museum of Architectural History

Více o knize

Batavia, now Jakarta, has significantly influenced both regional and global history, particularly in trade since ancient times. While many architectural remnants of its rich civilization have been lost, some still stand, reflecting the city's historical evolution. Following World War II, Jakarta entered an era of independence and witnessed the reign of various ruling states, including the Sunda Kelapa Kingdom and Banten Sultanate, as well as serving as the headquarters for the Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC) and later the Dutch East Indies and Japanese occupiers. The urban fabric of Jakarta, with its historical buildings, acts as a medium for expressing and reflecting its past. By interpreting this history, a sophisticated vision for the city can be developed. This paper discusses the physical and architectural characteristics of Jakarta's historical relics, proposing their use as a foundation for an open-air museum or laboratory dedicated to the city's architectural history. This initiative represents a crucial step towards realizing Jakarta's vision as a global city, a status it achieved in 2008.