Involving 12 students and graduates from three universities, the workshop aimed to identify, analyze, and develop strategies for preserving intangible cultural heritage in Depok. The event included various activities such as lectures, discussions, field data collection, and final presentations. Locations for the activities included Artivator Café on Pemuda Street, Jacob Koffie Huis on Kemuning Street, the UI Department of Architecture Studio, and the Depok City Hall for the exhibition and closing ceremony.
The workshop focused on case studies of Gong Si Bolong, the Topeng Cisalak Dance, and the Ngubek Situ Pancoran Mas ritual, as well as highlighting the character and ideology of Cornelis Chastelein as part of the historical landscape of Old Depok. During data collection, participants conducted interviews with local cultural communities such as the Gong Si Bolong Studio, Kinang Putra Studio, and the Tahura Pancoran Mas Community to explore the challenges and opportunities in preserving intangible heritage.
Prof. Dr. Ir. Heri Hermansyah, S.T., M.Eng., IPU, Dean of FTUI, stated, “The collaboration between Universitas Indonesia, RCE, and the Depok City Government in the Mapping Intangible Heritage workshop is a crucial step in preserving intangible cultural heritage. Through this activity, we not only preserve the cultural values that exist but also educate the younger generation on the importance of safeguarding cultural diversity as part of the nation’s identity. We hope this effort strengthens the role of the university in the development and preservation of Indonesian culture at the national and international levels.”
This workshop is a continuation of a similar event in 2022, the Historic Urban Landscape Quick Scan Method Workshop, with the main goal of integrating intangible heritage into urban space planning. In her opening remarks, Diah Sadiyah, Expert Staff to the Mayor of Depok for Human Resources and Community Affairs, emphasized the importance of the workshop results in enriching the intangible heritage inventory of Depok City.
Peter Timmer from RCE stressed that the preservation of intangible heritage must be integrated with urban development, while Prof. Kemas Ridwan Kurniawan highlighted key lessons from the workshop, including the importance of inclusivity, local community involvement, long-term preservation strategies, and collaboration among various stakeholders.
The closing ceremony included an exhibition and presentations by participants, attended by various figures, including Shaula Supit from the Dutch Embassy and Dr. Dalhar Susanto from the Faculty of Engineering, UI. With this activity, it is hoped that intangible cultural heritage will not only be protected but also utilized to support sustainable urban development.
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Public Communication Office
Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia
