Govt urged to settle spatial planning draft bylaw

Niken Prathivi , The Jakarta Post , Denpasar | Mon, 07/06/2009 2:18 PM | Bali

There may be doubts concerning the pros and cons of Bali's spatial planning draft, however, experts urged the provincial administration and councilors to hasten the deliberation process to avoid further uncertainty.

Indonesian Architect Association (IAI) of Bali branch chief Ketut Rana Wiarcha told The Jakarta Post last Saturday that the revised bylaw could become an umbrella for the island's spatial development, especially with a blossoming investment..

"If the draft meets its deadline to be deliberated, then so be it. Afterwards, we must focus on a few articles that need further explanation and supporting regulations."

"Should we keep postponing the deliberations, we will remain uncertain."

Wiarcha cited the administration's permit issuance on spatial plan, which could end up causing massive environmental damage, to name one possible consequences.

Bali administration is revising regional draft No. 3/2005 overseeing spatial planning, due next year, as ordered by Law No. 26/2007 on national spatial plans.

The amended bylaw is planned to be valid for the next 20 years - a longer period compared to the current five-year validity.

The upcoming bylaw, however, is facing strong opposition from environmental and cultural activists, complaining that the law sides with investment interests that might endanger the island's environmental and cultural condition.

The house reported it was scheduled to deliberate next Aug. 6.

Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika previously reported that the draft, which has a total 18 chapters with 187 articles, contains new points, such as provincial zoning toward spatial structure and pattern.

The draft also contains the provincial authority to set, control and use priority areas, including sacred temples for Balinese Hindus.

Furthermore, Article 10 (2d) on land transportation network systems zoning stipulates tunnels for public walkway use on new road constructions.

Spatial expert Prof. Ngakan Putu Sueca from Udayana University in Denpasar shares Wiarcha's point of view.

However, in general, he suggested policy makers create a bigger spatial plan through a comprehensive blueprint.

"The spatial plan could actually become an instrument to manage the investment environment in Bali, because no matter what, growth is good for the island.

"But such plans requires direct instruments, which can be formed as a comprehensive blueprint."

Commenting on the spatial plan brouhaha, secretary-general for Indonesian Real Estate Association (REI) of Bali branch I Wayan Sunasdyana could not agree more over the zoning ideas in the spatial plan.

"Property has been growing rapidly in Bali for the past few years. Therefore, to support the business we basically don't mind at all with the spatial plan.

"We agree to some offered rules, for example, 15-meters-tall limitation on building and the zoning."

Bali's land area measures in 5,634 square kilometers (km). Buleleng regency is the largest with 1,365 square km.

Bali also consists of Denpasar municipality, Jembrana regency, Tabanan, Badung, Gianyar, Klungkung, Bangli and Karangasem.

The island's total population reached 3.3 million in 2006