Thursday (27/1), UGM Faculty of Engineering together with Forum Pemerti Code and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) launched a map of 1000 Ideas for Code River. The symbolic launch of the map was conducted by the Rector of UGM represented by UGM Vice Rector for Alumni Affairs and Business Development (APU), Prof. Ir Atyanto Dharoko, M. Phil., Ph.D., accompanied by the Dean of Faculty of Engineering, Ir. Tumiran, M. Eng., Ph.D., and Head of the Department of Geodesy, Prof. Ir. Subaryono, MA, Ph.D.
The map of 1000 Ideas for Code River is the description of the latest condition of the river after the Merapi eruption. This map will then be used as the basis in preparing action plan and community-based mitigation. The community in the riverbanks will later share their ideas related to re-structuring the of the area.
Prof. Ir. Subaryono, MA, Ph.D said the mapping of the Code River area is a form of UGM contribution in the recovery effort and structuring the future of the area. The map is created by combining geo-spatial technology to observe the earth surface condition with the perspective of communities along the banks of Code River.
"By combining the technology and public aspiration, planning and management of areas exposed to the impact of Merapi eruption are expected to be better as they come from society, academia and government so that the results are comprehensive and integrative," he explained.
Subaryono mentioned that the Code River map is the result of latest photo captures using the unmanned aerial vehicle or UAV aircraft. The image was later integrated with the participative mapping survey in the field.
Prof. Ir Atyanto Dharoko, M. Phil., Ph.D., appreciated the launch of the map. It is expected to support the development of the Code area and to become a foothold in the preparation of mitigation strategies in response to the annual flood and cold lava flood from Merapi as well as area arrangement and development," he explained.
Meanwhile, head of the Mapping and Participatory Planning Team of the UGM Department of Geodesy, Dr. Trias Aditya, M.Sc., added that the making of the map is a form of response in conducting risk analysis and disaster risk-based planning and structuring of a more robust area. Altogether, his side, Forum Pemerti Code, and IOM conducted surveys and participative mapping for the preparation of action plans and community-based mitigation.
The participative mapping, Trias said, has been through meetings with residents in 15 affected areas from the North, Central, and South area of the river. The mapping is to identify the needs unfulfilled after the Merapi disaster. From the results, it is observed that clean water, public facilities, and residential environment improvement should be provided very soon.
The satellite images showed 300 points of sewers getting covered with the sand of Merapi’s cold lava that caused water spilling into the streets of the environment. Area Code Riverbanks in the middle of the city such as Kota Baru, Jogoyudan, Ledok Tukangan, and Ledok Macanan are the areas worst affected by the cold lava, followed by the northern area which includes Blimbingsari and Sendowo. "If this is not addressed soon, it will cause problems in the health sector," he said.
The solutions that can be applied to anticipate the impact of floods and cold lava are the restructuring of the region to make it more resilient to the threat of cold lava floods, done by elevating the roads and settlements as well as furthering the distance with the settlements in the area.