As part of the Jakarta Workshop (JKTWS) 2025 series, the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia (FTUI) held a symposium titled “Informal Public Space” on Tuesday (3/9) at the IDE Building Auditorium, FTUI. The event brought together academics, practitioners, and architecture students from diverse backgrounds to discuss the potential of public spaces that are often overlooked in urban planning.
The event began with opening remarks from Dr. Nyoman Suwartha, S.T., M.T., M.Agr., Education Manager, representing the Dean of FTUI, Prof. Kemas Ridwan Kurniawan, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D. In his speech, Dr. Nyoman expressed his hope that this year’s JKTWS discussions would serve as a meaningful, productive, and inspiring forum for all participants.
The first session featured short presentations from four students representing FTUI, the University of Tokyo, and Keio University, who presented their design ideas and research related to activities conducted in Kampung Cikini. The ideas showcased included strategies for creating more inclusive public spaces, adaptive approaches to urban village environments, and social mapping methods to strengthen community engagement.
The following session was a panel discussion featuring distinguished academics and practitioners in the field of architecture. The first speaker, Prof. Ir. Evawani Ellisa, M.Eng., Ph.D., from the Department of Architecture, FTUI, shared her experiences from participating in JKTWS from 2011 to 2020 in Kampung Cikini. Prof. Ellisa emphasized that involvement in JKTWS goes beyond arranging physical spaces—it is about building inclusive social spaces.
“Kampung Cikini was not chosen because it was considered a slum area, but rather because its density and diversity reflect the vitality and negotiation between everyday life and urban policies. The presence of community leaders, local facilities, and social dynamics makes this area a compelling subject of study,” she explained.
In addition to Prof. Ellisa, the symposium also featured several prominent speakers, including Prof. Yandi Andri Yatmo, S.T., M.Arch., Ph.D. from the Department of Architecture, FTUI; Prof. Dr. Kosuke Mizuno from the School of Environmental Science, Universitas Indonesia; Prof. Hajime Ishikawa, Tomohiko Amemiya, Prof. Akiko Okabe, and Assoc. Prof. Jun Sato from the University of Tokyo; as well as Kamil Muhammad, an architectural designer. The speakers shared a range of perspectives on urban development, architectural innovation, and international collaboration strategies to address contemporary urban challenges.
The event concluded with an open discussion session that invited participants to share their views and creative ideas. The discussion was lively and engaging, reflecting participants’ enthusiasm for contributing ideas for better urban planning.
Through the organization of JKTWS 2025: Informal Public Space, FTUI reaffirms its commitment to fostering academic collaboration that bridges theory, practice, and field experience. The event is expected to serve as a strategic platform for building cities that are inclusive, sustainable, and adaptive to future challenges.
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Public Communications Office
Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia
