image 1) JL. pakubuwono
image 2) JL.pakubuwono
I lived in Jakarta, Indonesia for 16 years of my life; for about 10/16 years, I was living in either house, first or second floor of an apartment. Since I began living in 22 floor of an apartment 6 years ago, from the top, I have begun to see lots of buildings being built and countless houses being destroyed. Jakarta is experiencing urbanization, a movement of people moving from rural areas to urban areas, because of several different reasons: mainly for better-paid jobs, education and shelter. Due to rural areas people do not have enough money to live in an apartment or well-built house, those people mostly likely to live in these small orange-reddish roof house. As more rural people come to Jakarta, the amount of shanty houses increases, which led to nonexistence of free land area. Unfortunately, as more and more apartments, buildings as well as department stores are being built in order to develop Jakarta, often those houses’ residents are forced to leave with little amount of money given by the government.
As you can see in the image 1, there is a tall building, which surrounded by small houses. I still remember that about 2 years ago, there were countless houses. Furthermore, image 2 is now happening right next to my apartment building. Less than 5 months ago, numerous houses also surrounded this area, but now I cannot find any houses in this area. One of my drivers was living in this image 2 area for more than 20 years of his life with his 5 members of family. Due to the government’s order, not only his family but also countless number of other families had to leave their beloved town to another place. He once told my parents that although he got money by leaving this area, he rather wants to stay here, because more money are needed to move and search for new house.