On Tuesday (August 26), the series of activities under Jakarta Workshop (JKTWS) 2025 continued with a focus on exploring and utilizing urban land. The event was attended by students from the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia (FTUI), and architecture students from The University of Tokyo, Japan. The participation of international students enriched the cross-cultural exchange of ideas while reinforcing JKTWS’s role as a collaborative forum for designing creative urban solutions.
The activity began with a site visit to an abandoned lot in the Pasar Kembang area, Cikini, which served as the main study object to be developed into a new design concept that benefits the surrounding community. During the field observation, participants identified several environmental issues, one of which was the accumulation of unmanaged waste. This condition not only affected the area’s aesthetics but also posed potential health risks and contributed to the decline of environmental quality.
After the initial observation, JKTWS participants conducted detailed measurements of the entire site to obtain accurate data as the foundation for their design proposals. This process provided participants not only with technical experience but also with a deeper understanding of the real conditions of urban land that often remain underutilized.
During the presentation session, participants were divided into three groups — floor, wall, and roof — each focusing on different aspects of design transformation. One of the most notable ideas came from the floor team, which proposed the concept of a playground, transforming the abandoned site’s surface into an interactive space for children and families. The idea aimed to create a child-friendly and healthy open space that also enhances the area’s social environment. The team also suggested adding a vegetation barrier around the playground to reduce the impact of waste and improve the green quality of the surroundings.
This activity served as a valuable opportunity for JKTWS 2025 participants to refine their analytical, measurement, and practical design skills. Through creative ideas derived from direct field observations, the event demonstrated a tangible contribution to creating cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable urban spaces for the community.
FTUI Dean Prof. Kemas Ridwan Kurniawan, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D., expressed his appreciation for the enthusiasm and creativity shown by the JKTWS 2025 participants. “Through JKTWS, students not only learn how to design but also how to be sensitive to real-world issues. I truly appreciate the innovative ideas that emerged, such as the child-friendly playground concept that also addresses environmental concerns. Hopefully, these ideas can serve as real inspiration for developing healthier and more sustainable cities,” he stated.
JKTWS 2025 takes place from August 25 to September 5, 2025, featuring a series of activities that include on-site architectural practice, collaborative discussions, and academic sessions at the Universitas Indonesia campus in Depok. Through these programs, participants are expected not only to strengthen their technical skills but also to foster social awareness and environmental sensitivity in designing sustainable urban spaces.
***
Public Communication Office
Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia
