Definition and Function of Green Open Space (RTH) and Its Procurement in Jakarta

How often do you see green open spaces (RTH) in Jakarta? Surely it's quite rare, isn't it? Because the amount of green open space in the capital city is very small and not balanced with the number of buildings and buildings that fill the city.

Jakarta does lack green open spaces. And this problem of open space shortage is also found in many other big cities in Indonesia. The shortage of green open space is partly due to land constraints, high land prices, and the absence of sanctions for local governments that do not meet their green open space targets.

In Jakarta, green open spaces are arguably the most important. Every piece of land developed in Jakarta is even required to provide green space to contribute to the city's green space. However, the implementation of green open space provision has yet to be prioritized.

What is green open space?

According to Law No. 26 of 2007 concerning Spatial Planning, the definition of green open space (RTH) is an elongated/lane and/or grouped area, the use of which is more open, where plants grow, both naturally growing and deliberately planted.

In terms of function, it is clear that green open space (RTH) has a crucial function as a provider of urban oxygen. In addition, green open space also has additional functions that are important for the health of the city community, namely as a means of recreation, learning media, and city noise reducer.

What is the current size of green open space in Jakarta?

The Spatial Planning Law stipulates that green open space must cover 30% of the total city area. This percentage is divided into 2 categories, namely 20% public green open space provided by the government and 10% private green open space provided by the private sector.

Although the government has set the open space target, the reality is that green open space in Jakarta currently only reaches 9.98% of the city area. This figure does not even meet one-third of the green open space target in Jakarta.

How to meet the green open space target in Jakarta?

So far, one of the efforts to meet the green open space target in Jakarta is through the obligation of private parties to hold green areas in their development sites. However, the results of this private green open space contribution have proven to be less than optimal. This is because the open areas provided cannot be freely accessed by the public. In terms of size, the open space provided is often insignificant.

In fact, instead of forcing the provision of open areas on every private building land, the government can implement a collaboration with the private sector so that private RTH can function more effectively. The trick is that the government can consolidate or merge open spaces that are required for the private sector and move them to a location designated by the local government to be used as green open space.

This method provides a win-win solution for both the government and the private sector. For the government, green land consolidation is an opportunity to realize large and quality green open spaces for city residents as well as an opportunity to improve urban planning. For the private sector, greenfield consolidation is an opportunity to utilize their land more optimally.

By incorporating green open spaces, the government can realize the fulfillment of open space targets with a quality that the city of Jakarta has so far not been proud of.

With the right handling, Jakarta can have public open spaces that are not inferior to Central Park in New York or Hyde Park in London. Certainly, an open area of this size and class can make a significant difference to the health of Jakarta and its citizens.

The problem of fulfilling green spaces is an urgent matter. The function of green open space in urban areas certainly cannot be fulfilled only by relying on green open space covering 9.98% of the city area. Therefore, Jakarta needs the right policy so that the city and its citizens have the opportunity to have a healthier future.