Works of students of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Engineering Universitas Gadjah Mada, became the point of interest in the exhibition entitled FESTAGAMA EXPO held at the Galeria Mall Atrium, 24-25 May 2012. No less than 2,000 visitors came to the exhibition under theme Urban Humanism.
FESTAGAMA’s peak event was marked by video screening and submission of 500 letters expressing people’s hopes, dreams, criticisms and suggestions on the development of the city. "This is the most exciting activity. The letters were delivered directly to Ir. Aman Yuriadijaya, M.M, Secretary Assistant for Economic Affairs and Development of Yogyakarta, and Drs. Umar Priyono, M.Pd., Head of Public Welfare of Yogyakarta Regional Development Planning Board," Wildan Rahman, Committee Chairman of FESTAGAMA 2012, said at UGM on Wednesday (30/5).
Some student’s work that are exhibited are adopting several approaches used in Singapore and Malaysia. The products on display are divided into four themes adopted in the four pilot areas in Yogyakarta, namely Jombor Shopping Center, Transportation, Ambarbinangun Conservation Area and the Independent City of Bantul.
Jombor Shopping Center and Transportation Project emphasize on the realization of integrated transport which is inter-connected with the existing economic centers. Both were prepared referring to the concept of development in Singapore MRT Station and KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport) Malaysia. Meanwhile, the Ambarbinangun Conservation Area Development is arranged as an effort to revitalize the historic area and to conserve cultural heritage in Ambarbinangun. The project adopts the development concept of Kampong Glam in Singapore. In contrast, the Independent City of Bantul is designed as solution to the urban agglomeration of Yogyakarta City. "This area is built with the concept of green compact city such as Park City Village in Malaysia," Wildan said.
A talk show was also held discussing urban problems of Yogyakarta city as the Most Livable City in Indonesia version of the IAP (Association of Planners). Several issues discussed were, among others, traffic jam, preservation of cultural heritage, and billboards placement along the roads of Yogyakarta City.
Ir. Aman Yuriadijaya, M.M from Yogyakarta City Government revealed that the city government is trying to reform in order to solve these problems, such as using former Indra Cinema as an alternative parking lot at Malioboro and making Malioboro the pedestrian area of town. In addition, the Government of Yogyakarta City is re-arranging billboards along Malioboro Street.
Related to the preservation of cultural heritage, Aman Yuriadijaya said that though the city government seems slow, it is trying to give attention to the management of more than 200 objects of cultural heritage in Yogyakarta. Therefore, the city government has established an expert team of Yogyakarta Heritage Preservation Objects. In terms of humanism, the government of Yogyakarta City is committed to build and organize social capital of community in creating conducive climate for the development of two major locomotives of Yogyakarta City, namely education and tourism. "The two sectors drive economic and development growth of other sectors," he said.
The last activity of FESTAGAMA 2012 was City Campaign conducted at three points in Yogyakarta City, namely the 0 km point, Tugu Jogja, and Galeria Mall intersection. This activity was done by inviting people to always be more responsive to urban issues and contribute directly in maintaining the convenience of the city as a community activity space.