The Depok Lama Tourism Passport, initiated by the Community Service Team (Pengmas) of the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering (FT) Universitas Indonesia (UI), in collaboration with the Cornelis Chastelein Institute Foundation (YLCC) as the partner recipient and the Tenggara Foundation, was officially launched at the Depok City Government Office. This passport serves as a guide for developing tourism routes in Depok Lama.
Prof. Kemas Ridwan Kurniawan, S.T., M.Sc, PhD, the program coordinator and a Professor at FTUI, stated that this program was made possible through a Penta helix collaboration involving the government, the community, and Universitas Indonesia, particularly the UI Directorate of Community Empowerment and Service, as the funding provider. “This program is a step toward sustainable preservation that protects cultural heritage, stimulates the community’s economy, and spreads awareness of Depok’s historical importance through creative initiatives, encouraging people to care more about their city,” said Prof. Kemas.
He further explained that the passport features two tourism routes for visitors: nature tourism and colonial building tours around Jalan Pemuda. The tourism map includes a barcode connected to a booklet and animated videos that provide a more detailed explanation of the historical buildings. Additionally, the passport recommends visiting local cafés during the walking tour and allows visitors to collect stamps as proof of having visited Depok Lama.
Prof. Kemas elaborated that Depok is a city with a long history dating back hundreds of years. It began when a former VOC official named Cornelis Chastelein purchased thousands of hectares of land south of Batavia in 1696, employing 150 indigenous workers to manage agriculture and settle in the area. Unlike the common European practice of slavery at the time, Chastelein provided education and a decent life for his workers.
Before his death, Chastelein bequeathed that his workers be freed and granted land as an inheritance. These values have been passed down from generation to generation within the Kaum Depok community (locally known as Belanda Depok), which continues to preserve this legacy today.
Depok’s origins remain relatively unknown despite its long history and remaining colonial buildings. However, the area holds great potential for development into an old town rich with educational and historical tourism, promoting sustainable development while prioritizing historical, cultural, and preservation principles.
“This is what motivated the FTUI Cluster for History, Theory, and Architectural Preservation to create a community service program by developing tourism promotion media in the form of the Depok Lama Tourism Passport,” said Prof. Kemas.
The launch, which took place on Friday (November 15), was attended by 50 participants. They included representatives from the Depok City Tourism, Youth, and Sports Office (Disporyata), the Cultural Heritage Expert Team, the Dutch Cultural Heritage Foundation, and the Cornelis Chastelein Institute Foundation, as well as students from three universities participating in the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) workshop: Universitas Indonesia, IPB University, and Universitas Trisakti.
“The Depok Lama Tourism Passport serves as a medium to strengthen the cultural identity of Depok, not only as historical heritage but also as inspiration for future generations. By involving various stakeholders, we aim to ensure that the stories and values contained in Depok’s history continue to live on and become a shared source of pride for both the local community and the global community,” said Prof. Dr. Ir. Heri Hermansyah, S.T., M.Eng., IPU., Rector of UI.
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Faculty of Engineering Universitas Indonesia
