6 ways Bekasi is driving sustainable growth in Indonesia

With strong transport links, ample recreation, and a contingent of desirable housing projects, Bekasi is fast becoming one of Greater Jakarta’s rising stars

Bekasi is the easterly “bek” component in the compound name for the Greater Jakarta metropolitan area, Jabodetabek, and an industrial city in its own right with many factories. It also has its share of historic buildings, recreation areas, and beauty spots, while the city’s shopping malls are a big draw. It’s close to Jakarta’s secondary airport, Halim Perdanakusuma, which increasingly services budget airlines. It also benefits from a long-distance bus terminal and numerous rail links. With the many schools in the area making it great for families, Bekasi is attracting new residents and property developers.

Summarecon Bekasi

Summarecon Bekasi is an ambitious, largescale development comprising more than 3,500 landed homes, apartments, condo villas and shophouses, designed as a compact city-within-a-city. Other features include a shopping mall, business park, market, school, and areas for worship; it will also become a leading economic centre, and a focal point for tourism, sports, education and cultural activity. Sustainability and ecologically minded planning are key factors in the township, with nearly 9,000 trees planted to provide fresher air for the projected 16,000 residents living at Summarecon Bekasi. A water treatment plant, a lake for water catchment, and canals are all part of architecture firm Townland’s masterplan, along with cycle paths and smart home technologies.

LRT City Jatibening

A 16-storey, 891-unit complex designed by PT Bias Tekno Kreasindo, with landscaping from Studio Akar, LRT City Jatibening is a condominium already in operation in the style of a resort, offering residents privacy and comfort. It combines several distinctive features such as a “zero run-off” design which quickly re-absorbs water into the ground, maintaining water reserves, and various areas outside with special themes such as a Hedge Garden, Music Garden, Floating Stage, and Sunken Garden. In addition, there’s a swimming pool, gym, coworking space, jogging track, and ramps for wheelchair users.

Pura Agung Tirta Bhuana

This temple is one of the few places of worship in Indonesia outside of Bali devoted to Hinduism. It is located in Jakasampurna village and aside from its religious activities, it’s also become a vacation spot for both locals and outsiders; visitors can explore the temple, take photos, and learn about its relatively short history. A serene setting surrounded by plants and trees, it’s a moderately sized temple with a comfortable ambience sheltered from the sun. It also showcases several ornaments, some unique statues and carvings that add to its beauty. During major Hindu festivals, this otherwise secluded, tranquil site becomes more crowded, making it a good time to visit; visitors can also join dance classes on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Situ Burangkeng

This scenic spot is a broad lake in Ciledug village with a relaxing atmosphere and pristine environment that’s become one of the most popular destinations in the city, as well as being an irrigation centre for nearby farms, managing water discharge and preventing flooding during heavy rain. The captivating beauty of the lake makes it primarily a spot for relaxation and photography—people can take shots not just of the watery expanse, but also of villagers in Telajung and Ciledug, and farms surrounding the lake. A simple, uncommercialised area, Situ Burangkeng has over the years been greatly beneficial to both locals and tourists, not to mention as a water catchment area and vital resource for local farmers.

Summarecon Mall Bekasi

This upmarket shopping centre is the newest in the city and has already earned a strong following among retail fans. This is a testament not just to its range of options, but also to its wide array of spaces for shoppers to wander, which include many refreshing water features such as fishponds with seating, and areas with lush greenery. Recently celebrating its 11th anniversary, Summarecon Mall Bekasi (which styles itself as “The Family Mall”) has all kinds of attractions under its rather large roof, including an IMAX cinema, a “PlanAnimals” natural-history exhibition, daily live-music performances, community sporting events, and a bedazzling range of F&B outlets—and it’s beautifully landscaped throughout.

Citarum River

West Java’s third-longest river has since 2011 undergone a radical program of revitalisation and beautification after becoming one of the world’s most polluted rivers. The pollution resulted from toxic waste from textile factories. The clean-up was bolstered in 2018 by then President Joko Widodo, who launched a seven-year plan involving the military to restore the river to clean drinking water status. The most visible result has been the removal of litter and plastics, thanks to grassroots campaigns. Rice farming is now—thanks to three hydroelectric dams supplying electricity for Bandung and Greater Jakarta—on the rise, with the dams irrigating large paddies in Bekasi.

The original version of this article appeared in PropertyGuru Property Report Magazine Issue No. 186 on issuu and Magzter. Write to our editors at [email protected].