Ratu Arum Kusumawardhani, a Doctoral candidate from the Department of Architecture at the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia (FTUI), presented her research unveiling the architectural history of Old Banten during her doctoral promotion session. Her dissertation, titled “The Architectural History of ‘Nagarakuta’ Banten from the 16th to the 17th Century and Its Decline Until the 19th Century,” explores the evolution of Banten as an international trading hub until its downfall. The doctoral promotion session was held on January 8, 2025, at the Makara 04 Smart Meeting Room, FTUI Dean’s Building.
“This research focuses on the concept of ‘Nagarakuta,’ an urban planning model adopted by the Sultanate of Banten from the traditional city patterns of Nusantara kingdoms, such as Majapahit and Demak. The concept includes key urban structures, such as the zoning of the royal palace (keraton), central square (alun-alun), and port, which shaped Banten’s identity as a strategic city in the global spice trade route during the 16th century,” explained Arum during her presentation.
Using philological analysis of ancient manuscripts, such as Sajarah Banten Besar and Sajarah Banten Kecil, and archival map studies from the 16th to the 19th century, Ratu Arum successfully reconstructed Old Banten’s physical and geopolitical formation. One of her significant findings is how the city’s architecture reflected its adaptation to the pressures of international trade and colonial conflicts, particularly during the VOC (Dutch East India Company) and Dutch colonial periods.
Due to colonial exploitation, Banten transformed from a bustling trading centre to a remote area. The collapse of the Sultanate of Banten and the destruction of Surosowan Palace in the early 19th century marked the city’s shift into a fishing village. “This transformation shows that architecture is not only influenced by physical factors but also by social and political dynamics,” Arum explained.
The Acting Dean of FTUI, Prof. Ir. Mahmud Sudibandriyo, M.Sc., Ph.D., who chaired the doctoral promotion session, highlighted that the research provides not only historical insights but also serves as a foundation for conservation policies in the Old Banten area. “This study can serve as a guideline for preserving historic areas, ensuring that Banten’s cultural heritage remains alive in a modern context,” he added.
With her research, Ratu Arum Kusumawardhani successfully earned her doctoral degree with a cum laude distinction, achieving a GPA of 3.96. Dr. Arum is the 26th Doctoral graduate from the Department of Architecture and the 580th graduate from the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia.
The doctoral promotion session was led by Prof. Ir. Mahmud Sudibandriyo, M.Sc., Ph.D., with Prof. Kemas Ridwan Kurniawan, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D. as the primary supervisor and Prof. Susanto Zuhdi, M.Hum. as the co-supervisor. The examination committee consisted of Prof. Ir. Evawani Ellisa, M.Eng., Ph.D., Dr.-Ing. Yulia Nurliani Harahap, S.T., M.Des.S., Ir. Hendarjaya, M.Sc., Ph.D., Dr. Rini Suryantini, S.T., M.Sc., and Dr.-Ing. Putu Ayu P. Agustiananda, S.T., M.A.
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