Integrated high-rise residences becoming a trend

Nirwono Joga, Contributor The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Apartments are ideal for commuters working in the center of a city as they can return to their homes within the city limits without having to worry too much about traffic jams or the lack of reliable public transportation, all of which have an impact on productivity, energy and costs.

Global warming, various environmental hazards and the unhealthy condition of the city have spurred developers to build residences that are environmentally friendly. Land limitations in the city and the need of residences within the city have also propelled the growth of integrated high-rise residences. Traffic conditions in the city have prompted developers to build integrated areas called superblocks (mixed-use areas) in strategic locations.

Superblocks consisting of apartments, hotels, offices, malls, schools form a landscape of a modern and grand city within a city. Apart from the architectural appearance, the other plus points are the facilities available, the social value and the environment offered.

Superblocks offer integrated one-stop services for every daily need. Residents are pampered with all sorts of facilities, such as star-rated hotel, school of international standard, world-class hospital, exclusive offices and a mall. Residents can reach their destinations either by foot or bicycle along wide paths surrounded by shade trees and beautiful parks. They never have to worry about traffic. The air is fresh and they can save time and energy.

They can also keep fit by doing simple exercise, like jogging. They also get ample opportunity to interact with other people living there and the environment.

They do not have to waste energy on traveling to and from the office or to school or the mall. The saved time can be used for sports, recreation or spending more time with family, which has become a rare luxury in this metropolis with its hectic lifestyle.

Gandaria City in the heart of South Jakarta is one such integrated residential area. The apartment block is called Gandaria Heights, the office tower is Gandaria 8, the mall is Gandaria Main Street and there is a star-rated hotel.

The integrated concept here provides easy and convenient access for residents to reach their destinations in a very short time so that they have plenty of time for activities with their families, which is very valuable, said Ivy Wong, chief business development manager of the Pakuwon Group, the developer of Gandaria City.

Superblocks give many advantages to the city. The purpose of superblocks is to provide a better and healthier life and to provide basic needs by making available a large number of facilities, such as workplaces, schools, public space and a clean environment. Such a place will most certainly thrive economically.

No city can grow economically if it is not healthy for its residents. Therefore, it is imperative that the city administration along with developers create an ideal spatial plan. It is all a matter of cooperation between property developers, the city administration and residents in adhering strictly to the set regulations on spatial planning.

A superblock, to be environmentally friendly, has to have a balance between the land used and green spaces. While the rest of the city is congested, noisy, polluted and grim, the superblock itself is the total opposite by being environmentally friendly and green.

The green spaces in superblocks separate each building in attractive, harmonized landscaping. The presence of large shade trees, grass, pools, fountains, playgrounds, jogging track, tennis court, driving range is a must to attract apartment buyers.

Developers and residents can collectively make the best use of the clean water available and the processing of liquid waste, the use and saving of electricity by utilizing other forms of energy, such as solar, biogas or wind and process waste by 3R (reduce, reuse, recycle) and turn it into biogas, and other waste into handicrafts.

To solve the problem of clean water and flooding, developers should build absorption pits to catch water generally and rainwater in large amounts.

Developing superblocks is a logical answer to addressing the needs of residences in a city that lacks land. It is also a solution to the degradation of the city's environment and its worsening traffic. The development of superblocks in itself is a grand idea to make the metropolis more comfortable and efficient to live in.

A superblock must be able to enhance its environment by having a large number of trees to absorb CO2, pollutant gas and increase water absorption. Developers should also enhance the social aspects and functions by improving design and accessibility and creating a friendly environment.

Along with the construction of transportation infrastructure that is comfortable, efficient and environmentally friendly, like the busway, as well as the construction of shaded footpaths, it is expected that access to superblocks will be easier. Both residents and visitors can use the public transportation, which will reduce the use of private cars and save energy, plus it is environmentally friendly. Developers, therefore, would not have to make available large parking lots that often take up open, green space, but establish beautiful parks instead.

Superblocks are indeed a promising development that offer a better lifestyle, as in Gandaria City and other superblocks in a number of major cities.

Above everything else, who would not want to live in a city within a city that offers the highest level of comfort, easy access, free from traffic jams, is environmentally friendly, has complete facilities and offers a healthy and pollution-free life?

The writer is a specialist in architectural issues.