UNAIR NEWS The 13th International Convention of Asian Scholars (ICAS) featured numerous activities, including a roundtable session. On the second day of 13th ICAS, the revitalization of historic Old Town was the main topic under the title 淭owards the Surabaya Old Town Heritage Revitalization Program: Prospects, Challenges, and Its Future. This discussion was held at the Postgraduate Building, Dharmawangsa B Campus, 51动漫 (), room P1.03, on Monday, July 29, 2024.
Moderated by Adrian Prakasa and Paul Rabe, the roundtable session also presented Dutch AmbassadorH.E. Lambert Grijns, Joella van Donkersgoed, Chee-Kien Lai, Ying-kit Chan, and Maulana Ibrahim. They provided critiques and proposed solutions for the development of Surabaya’s Old Town heritage.
Dr. Ikhsan SPsi MM, Secretary of Surabaya City, also participated, offering insights into Surabaya’s current condition. 淪urabaya is the second-largest city in Indonesia. We have 286 heritage buildings and 10 heritage zones, including European, Chinese, and Ampel sites, he noted.
Emphasizing community involvement
Lambert Grijns highlighted the necessity of community involvement by improving human resources in Surabaya. This is vital for the sustainable development of Surabaya檚 Old Town. 淚 commend everyone because this (Surabaya Old Town) is very impressive. The Surabaya government should focus on enhancing human resources to perfect the city’s management, he remarked.
Joella concurred, emphasizing that heritage encompasses more than buildings; it involves key aspects of a city. Thus, it is essential to heed the voices of various communities. 淟istening to the community about their actual needs is crucial because they live in the surrounding areas, she said.
Preserving original historical heritage
Amid the enthusiasm for Surabaya檚 Old Town development, Ibrahim underscored the importance of educating the current generation about Surabaya’s local heritage. 淥ur local traditions are vital. We must reintroduce students to history through these heritage sites, he stated.
Chee-Kien Lai also emphasized the importance of city layout management to ensure visitor comfort. 淭rees in Surabaya檚 landscape are crucial for reducing heat, and this must be considered. We need to think about how people can walk comfortably, he explained.
Author: Mohammad Adif Albarado
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
