The Jakarta administration has reaffirmed its commitment to breathing new life into the Kota Tua (Old Town) area, aiming to cement its status as one of the city’s flagship tourist destinations.

Speaking after the "Intimate Dialogue: Kota Tua Update" event, Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung highlighted that a pivotal part of the revitalization is the arrival of MRT Jakarta, which is slated for completion by 2029.

The MRT is being developed to boost accessibility for both locals and tourists heading to the historic district. To support this, the provincial government has adopted the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) concept for the area’s planning.

"The MRT is the game changer for Kota Tua. Once it reaches the area in 2029, Kota Tua will undergo a complete transformation," he stated, at Jakarta City Hall, Friday (4/10).

Alongside the MRT project, the Jakarta government is partnering with the state railway operator PT KAI to breathe new life into dormant rail lines. These non-electric tracks, spanning 16 to 28 kilometers, are set to be converted into electric commuter lines (KRL). This route will link Kota Tua to Tanjung Priok, passing through the Jakarta International Stadium (JIS) area.

He is confident that the new route will bolster public transportation options and streamline mobility for residents in North Jakarta.

"We hope to wrap this up within the year. It essentially involves electrifying existing tracks that have long been underutilized. This line will run through Kota Tua to Tanjung Priok and beyond, including the JIS area," he explained.

Pramono is also aiming for the KRL service to JIS to be up and running by next May, as a special gift for Jakarta’s upcoming anniversary. The launch of this new service is expected to smooth the way for the public to access the stadium.

"Equally vital is that by this coming May—next month—we hope the KRL service for JIS will be all set," he added.

He noted that Kota Tua and Seribu Islands are poised to become Jakarta's primary tourism magnets in the years ahead. Records indicate that the average length of stay for international tourists in Jakarta has already notched up from 1.5 days to nearly 2.8 days.

Further, international arrivals are on the rise, as evidenced by a significant surge in flights heading into the capital.

Pramono intends for the Kota Tua revitalization to be carried out through a phased and well-structured approach. The area is projected to be a prime destination for the middle-income demographic, who can easily capitalize on public transport access via the KRL or MRT.

Pramono is pushing for the revitalization of the Kota Tua area to be carried out through a phased and well-structured approach. The project is geared toward establishing Kota Tua as a prime destination for the middle-income segment, allowing them to tap into seamless transport links via the KRL or MRT.

Meanwhile, Vice Governor Rano Karno explained that the revitalization of Kota Tua aims to reclaim Jakarta’s identity while bolstering its standing as a global city steeped in history and culture.

He noted that Kota Tua has been partitioned into three sections: the core zone, the development zone, and the supporting zone. In the initial stage, efforts will be front-and-center on the core zone, stretching from Fatahillah Square to the Maritime Museum.

"Our immediate focus will be the core zone first. While the entire Kota Tua area covers nearly 363 hectares, the core zone accounts for roughly 80 hectares, and that includes the Bahari Museum," he clarified.

In addition, the Jakarta will place a high premium on providing facilities for MSMEs and street vendors, alongside the construction of dedicated parking areas.

To ensure the revitalization goes off without a hitch, Rano disclosed plans for the revitalization team to set up shop directly in Kota Tua in the near future.

"To demonstrate our unwavering commitment, we have already established a dedicated revitalization team. Insya Allah (God willing), when the time is right, I will personally be stationed in Kota Tua to oversee the project," he concluded.