1Rony Gunawan Sunaryo, 2Nindyo Soewarno, 3Ikaputra, 4Bakti Setiawan
Most of morphological studies of cities in Java tended to place the elements of traditional urban space – such as Alun‐alun, Mosque, Palace and Market – as the main elements of city. Other elements such as the colonial urban space – Resident Office, Fort, Church, Park and so on – are often considered separately or placed as a complementary part. Through a comparative study of morphology by exploring ten cities in Java, we found both elements of traditional and colonial urban space were set in a unique and various pattern. There are some findings indicating that the elements of colonial urban space significantly influence the city structure as well as those of the traditional ones. Therefore, understanding the urban space form in Java should include and put elements of both of traditional and colonial urban space as an integral part.
© 2011 1st Biennale ICIAP. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Colonial Urban‐Space, Java, Morphology, Traditional Urban‐Space
Morphology of cities in Java where we live today is formed through series of long process with a variety of influencing factors. Some concepts that explain the influences of Buddhist, Hindu, Islam and European coloring process of the city formation in Java were generally accepted5. Legacy of European influence can be seen primarily through the physical artifacts of the Dutch colonial buildings spread in urban areas of Java. Through many in‐depth studies, research on the influence of Europe on the world of Indonesian architecture can be said to have found the concepts that are fairly stable6. In contrast to the discipline of architecture – in which the scope is one building ‐ in urban design or urban planning discipline – in which the scope is an area until a city ‐ , the stability of such a concept is found lacking. Explanations regarding the influence of the Dutch colonization to the urban space concept in which we live today, for example, are still quite limited and leave many questions.
Dutch colonization process in Java lasted for several centuries, since their trading posts were built in the coastal cities to control infrastructure of transportation throughout Java. Although the influence of colonization looks so dominant in building a system of urban network in Java, it is the opposite in the scope of urban space. Colonization process does not remove the concepts of urban space forms that have already existed in Java. Alun‐alun, for example, is the landmark of the city center derived from the pre‐colonial traditions which still survives. Until now, the determination of the city center or the area of the old town mostly still refers to the position of the Alun‐alun7. In contrast, there are some difficulties when we have to identify the elements of the colonial urban space, partly because of the absence of the concept of colonial urban space which can be applied in general. The main colonial elements forming urban space were different from one city to another, as well as characters formed later. In some cases, the colonial elements are mixed with traditional elements, so they become harder to determine whether the urban space formed is traditional urban space or colonial urban space. These facts lead us to a lot of questions, some of the most simple questions: Does the colonial period have role in the morphology of urban space in Java? What are the elements forming the colonial urban space? How does the process of interaction between the elements of the colonial urban space and elements of traditional urban space?
This paper is the result of a brief literature review and observations on urban space in several cities in Java. The focus of this study is the morphology of urban space in the colonial period, especially in the early stages of formation of important structures in the city. The study does not attempt to find general concepts to answer the questions in the previous paragraph, but rather as an introduction to the understanding that further extensive and in‐depth studies need to be done on the focus of the study.
1 Department of Architecture, Faculty of Civil Engineering & Planning, Petra Christian University; Student at Doctoral
Program, Department of Architecture and Planning, Faculty of Engineering, Gadjah Mada University
2 Department of Architecture and Planning, Faculty of Engineering, Gadjah Mada University 3 Department of Architecture and Planning, Faculty of Engineering, Gadjah Mada University 4
Department of Architecture and Planning, Faculty of Engineering, Gadjah Mada University
5 Some general publication resources used by urban researcher among others: Lombard with Nusa Jawa: Silang Budaya, Kajian Sejarah Terpadu (1996); Wiryomartono with Seni Bangunan dan Seni Binakota di Indonesia (1985), Santoso with Arsitektur‐kota Jawa, Kosmos Kultur & Kuasa (2008).
6 Some recent studies focusing on Colonial Architecture among others : Handinoto with Arsitektur dan Kota‐kota di Jawa pada Masa Kolonial (2010), and some articles in Nas (editor) with Masa Lalu dalam Masa Kini (2010) illustrated the interpre‐ tation which is almost equal to the development of colonial architecture in Java.
geometric configuration of buildings and artefacts with the configuration of units of a particular physical space which are products of socio‐spatial change. Meanwhile, Widodo (2010) asserts that in urban analysis, morphology approach is appropriate to be used to identify the structural relationships among the artifacts of the city.
Furthermore, Santosa said (2000:90): "As a center of power, Keraton must have the capacity to ference is the atmosphere that characterizes the Islamic religious activities in that Kampung. The existence of Kauman and Mosque in Yogyakarta case can not be separated from Keraton because the perpetrators were religious officials appointed by Sultan (Ikaputra, 1995: 36).
city16. Some urban morphological studies refer the model of fortress (Sterctenbouwing) and the concept of ideal city from Stevin as a basis for designing Stevin VOC fortress and fortress city in the early colonial period17.
space. Some of the main elements in the city that can be used to identify the colonial urban space
6. Telecommunications and Trade Office: Immediately after the economic liberalization in the Neth‐ erlands after 1870, the opportunity for private to conduct business in the colony was open widely. These conditions led to the needs of business & trade offices on a large scale26. With the increas‐ ing economic transactions of the city, the needs for communication connectivity between regions in the colonies as well as the colonies to the Netherlands were increasing, so that the telecom‐ munications office buildings such as postal, telephone and telegraph appeared.
territory of these business entities (Marihandono, 2007). Establishment of the fort or citadel, especially in the case of coastal cities, aimed at securing a trading post and community interests of internal security. The fort can be considered as a small town, so the set of existing colonial elements gathered in the fort.
After the VOC took stronger political position in the city, other elements grew around the castle like: Resident’s Residence, Dutch Settlement, Churches, Parks, Prisons and Markets. Placement of the elements in this period is set apart from the traditional set of elements that have been there before,
Sawokembar Gondokusuman Yogyakarta (Majelis GKJ Sawokembar Gondokosuman Yogyakarta, 1988)
26 Some of big trade offices in Java, among others De Javasche Bank, Nederland Handels Mij, Ned. Indische Escompto Mij, Ned. Indische Handelsbank.
Kediri. Separation that occurs between elements of colonial and traditional elements in the case of Pekalongan and Kediri is increasingly punctuated with elements of the river as a barrier.
Separation of the elements of traditional and colonial urban space, among others, was due to the relation that exists between local authorities (Duke / Regent) and colonial (VOC officials) at the time. In the early colonial period the relations were limited to trade affairs and there was no intention from the Dutch to meddle too much in the native political affairs28. This condition is much different from the style of the Spanish colonies, which demolished Tenochtitlan elements of traditional urban space since the beginning and replaced it with Spanish elements29.
Source : Analysis from Map and Field work in 2011‐2012
Figure 1. Set of colonial and traditional elements that stands apart at Pekalongan (left) and Kediri (right)
Case of considerable interest is found in the case of Salatiga. The separation that occurs is not limited to the elements of colonial and traditional elements, but even each element stands apart without following the general pattern. The set of traditional elements which are, in general, caturgatra pattern stands apart: the Great Mosque and Kauman with Alun‐alun and Kabupaten – in which in general pattern become an integral part‐ stand apart in distance. Meanwhile, the set of colonial elements that form an integral set as we saw in Kediri and Pekalongan, can not be seen in Salatiga; elements of the Resident Assistant’s Residence ‐ Park ‐ Church stand apart from the fortress and prison.
28 Lombard (1996:106) citing Schrieke illustrates the difference in perception between the Governor‐General Van Imhoff
and High Commissioner of Netherland in the year 1802 as a different perception of how the position of Regents to the Gov‐ ernor‐General in Batavia
Source : Analysis from Map and Field work at 2011‐2012
Figure 2. Set of traditional and colonial elements that is far from each other and does not follow general pattern in Salatiga
4.3. Set of Elements of the Middle Colonial : Central Administration Complex
The composition in which the structures of colonial and traditional sets of elements stand adjacent can be found in the case of Yogyakarta and Surakarta. Comparing the scale of its range, Caturtunggal set of element (Keraton, Alun‐alun and Great Mosque) is more dominantly visible than colonial set of elements that are set right on its northern side. Set of colonial elements in both cities ‐ although the cities were established at different periods ‐ almost the same as the set of elements in Kediri and Pekalongan: Fortress, Resident’s Residence30, the Church and the Dutch Settlement. In this period there is no separation of the components of the Market, two sets of elements appear to use the same market; a position in both cities is equally close to the set of colonial elements.
Source : Analysis from Map and Field work in 2011‐2012
Figure 3. Set of traditional authority element that is adjacent with set of colonial authority
Meanwhile, in the case of Magelang, similar conditions prevail. Buildings of Kabupaten, Resident’s Residence (both in the 19th century) and Gemeente Huis (after the 20th century) are in one administration building complex. Differences between Surakarta and Yogyakarta were oriented to the placement of the church that was oriented to Alun‐alun, and the castle that was replaced by Prison elements.
4.4. Indis Element Set: Alun‐alun as the center
Some cities use the elements of Alun‐alun as the center of the orientation of the main elements, both traditional and colonial. Purworejo, former the capital of Karesidenan Bagelen which became the Regency of Puworejo later, is the most obvious example. Alun‐alun of Purworejo became the center of the placement orientation of main elements: Kabupaten, Great Mosque, Assistant Resident’s Residence, Church, Prison, Post Office, Hospital, and even the Station.
Source : Analysis from Map and Field work at 2011‐2012
Figure 4. Set of traditional element which is mixed with set of colonial element at Bandung
City of Bandung at the time of initial set up was a case where the set of elements of the colonial government set was mixed with traditional elements. Alun‐alun became the center orientation of Kabupaten, Great Mosque and the Resident Assistant’s Residence31. Gill (1995) advanced the thesis of this pattern as the pattern of the New Dutch East Indies City arising from the influence of colonial policy of indirect rule system32. Meanwhile, further to the political aspect, in the opinion of Van den Bosch in 1833 (in Lombard, 1996:106), he described the background and motivation of the Dutch to choose to maintain cooperation with the native rulers was for the stability and profitability of the Dutch economy. Meanwhile, Nas (1986:7) assumed the composition was an example of influence from the burgeoning Indies culture at that time33.
4.5. Set Element of the End Colonial : Central Economics and Center for Modern City
The 19th century can be said to be the influential period on the change of economic and administration system in the colonies, especially in Java. Some influential events include:
1. Bankruptcy of the VOC and the shift of power to the Government of the Dutch East Indies colony in 1800
2. The Great Post Road infrastructure was completed in 1810
3. Enforcement Cultuurestelsel in 1830, ended in 1870 with the shift in the concept of liberal economy.
4. Rail transit system across Java in the late 19th century
Analysis from Siregar (1990) based on Bandung map in 1822 showed the position of Assistant Resident’s Residence just in the north of Alun‐alun. In further development, the Dutch central government moved further to the north, the maps after 1900 showed a model set of elements of the colonial government around Pieters Park, or City Hall now.
32 Regarding indirect rule termed by Lombard (1996:106‐107) with “an iron fist in a velvet glove”, a review of the back‐
ground of this dual conception of the administration was described by a fairly complete.
33 A brief study of Indis Culture can be read from Cribb (2003) ‘Indisch’ Identity and Decolonization, or a in‐depth study from Soekiman (2011), with his book titled Kebudayaan Indis dan Gaya Hidup Masyarakat Pendukungnya di Jawa, which was a publication version from his disertation in 1996.
5. The rapid development of telegraph systems in the second half of the 19th century 6. Telephone network in the early 20th century
7. Implementation of the Decentralization Acts during the first three decades of the 20th centu‐ ry.
Record of the events above simply shows that the infrastructure of cities in Java was prepared by the Dutch to support the resilient economy system of the region. This fact explains how the main elements of the 19th‐and‐20th‐century cities were formed. The buildings that are part of the main elements of the city at that time include: the Post and Telegraph Offices, Stations, Office of the Private Trade. The main elements of the new city form a set of elements that are inevitably affected the structure of the city.In general, the position of the main elements of this economy is contiguous and forms a set of specific composition. Look at the influential parties, it can be easily concluded that the economic element of this set is a set of colonial elements.
The unique part of the set of elements of the colonial economy is on the scale and variety of its placement. Elements such as the Post and Telegraph Office, Office of Trade are generally close together, and some even form a set of colonial urban space that is strong enough as in Pekalongan, Tegal, Semarang, Yogyakarta and Surakarta. Meanwhile, elements of the colonial economy in the city of Bandung and Magelang actually put themselves to join the traditional set of elements, oriented to Alun‐alun.
Source : Analysis from Map and Field work in 2011‐2012
Figure 5. Set of station element that is oriented at set of traditional element in Tegal
Placement of elements on the station is generally oriented or at least adjacent to the Main Market of the City and is located apart from the city center. Strong character of urban space is rarely formed of this composition as in the case of Pekalongan, Kediri, Bandung and Magelang. Placement of the station as a city landmark can be seen in the case of Tawang Station in Semarang which together with a polder in front of it forms the strong character of urban space in the Semarang Old City District. Meanwhile, in Purworejo we saw the laying of the station in the city center, adjacent to the Kabupaten, but not forming a strong character of urban space. Tegal case is an example of the placement of the station elements which are integrated with elements of Parks, Office of the Bureau and Caturtunggal, the set of traditional elements. Station placement in this position is probably due to a main line and the nearest rail line to the main market, but the design of the station of Pont to combine elements of the set square is still a unique composition that is rarely found in cities in Java34. Local and international transportation infrastructure which were improved and the freedom to try brought by liberalism in the colony have driven the rapid rate of urbanization. Urban population increased rapidly not only from the natives, but also from Europeans who were trying their luck in the land that promised a lot of opportunity at that time. Complexity of the existing urban drove awareness that the city needed to be managed professionally by a local institution. Decentralization Act in the early 1900's brought the cities in Java to have special autonomous local administrations to manage the problems of the city. From the aspect of governance structures, new structures emerge such as the Mayor, Council and the People's Court. Elements such as the Mayor's Reidence, the House of Representatives and the Court are the last colonial element set. Placement set the last element is no longer bundled with the initial set of traditional elements or Indis set, but occupies new territory in the city. Set elements of Mayor’sOffice‐Park‐ Church‐City Council of the church and the court became a separate new town center which stands apart with the centers of the old city.
Complete set of elements can be seen in Bandung, while other cities like Semarang are modified.
Looking at the findings of fact and discussion it can be concluded that:
1. Colonial period plays an important role in the morphology of urban space in Java. The changing context of social, political and cultural rights caused by the colonial authorities‐either consciously or not‐was significant in influencing the shape of the Java urban space we live in today.
2. Forming elements of urban space in the colonial period varies, depending on the context of time (change of political system, economy and technology) and geography (local potential and the po‐ sition of the constellation of regional economies).
3. In general, Java urban space has similar main elements; the variation – if there were ‐ comes from od becomes less representative to the reality. Periodization of the proposed classification is based on the concept of a dominant force at the time: The period of urban space as a space power; pe‐
Today many design concepts of cities in Indonesia imported western precedent, applying without sufficient understanding of the background of the concept. New concepts are often applied area, any aspect of the exclusive benefits marginalized certain economic groups.
Efforts to understand the potential of Indonesian urban space must begin from the inside, a comprehensive understanding to our urban space. Study of the interaction between traditional urban space and colonial urban space in this paper is small part in the wider efforts to understand the unique character of Indonesian urban space. The step is a basic introduction of further step which can include the study of urban space preservation, design and development of unique potential of urban space, and so forth. The understanding of the unique character of urban space will lead to recognition of problems, potential and prospects of our urban space more comprehensively. That step is the basis for us to determine the concept that best fits to create a better urban space toward all materials, time, thought, and effort provided, especially for the many traveling opportunities across cities in Java and Europe which gave a lot of inspiration.
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