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Theme: 2. From Oceanic Crossroads: Empires, Networks and Histories
Adrian Perkasa
International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS), Netherlands
Paul Rabe
International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS), Netherlands
Lambert Grijns
Netherlands Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia
Joëlla van Donkersgoed
University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Chee-Kien Lai
National University of Singapore, Singapore
Ying-kit Chan
ICAS Book Prize 2023 - Secretary Chinese Language Edition
National University of Singapore, Singapore
Maulana Ibrahim
Khairun University Ternate, Indonesia
Surabaya has a rich and captivating history as a port city, spanning from the precolonial era to the height of colonialism and continuing into the post-independence period of Indonesia. Undoubtedly, this city served as a crucial hub connecting the primary spice producers in the eastern region of the archipelago with the global market. Since the 15th century, numerous settlements have emerged along the banks of the Kali Mas. Following the Dutch colonization of Surabaya, they transformed the banks of Kali Mas into a hub for governance and commerce. Nowadays, this region can be recognized within the surroundings of Old Town Surabaya, encompassing the European, Chinese, Malay, and Arab settlements. Surabaya's Old Town maintains a vibrant atmosphere, unlike other Old Town areas in Indonesian cities such as Jakarta and Semarang, which have limited appeal only as tourist destinations. The residence and the people are flocking this area round the clock.
In 2018, the Surabaya municipality began a project to revitalize the Old Town district. They plan to commence another project in May 2024. Nevertheless, the achievement of effective revitalization development necessitates the consideration of multiple issues, encompassing the physical, social, and economic aspects, among others. From a physical standpoint, it is necessary to preserve and often modify old buildings to accommodate their new purpose. When considering social aspect of heritage revitalization, it is important for any historic structure to have a meaningful relationship with the people in the neighborhood. The emotional connection fosters the building's transformation into a representation of their cultural heritage and contributes to the advancement of urban growth for future cohorts. Given the current emphasis on sustainable urban development in most cities, it is important to consider the financial considerations related to heritage development. This entire procedure must be carried out by a diverse group of people, together with experts in the field.
The roundtable discussion will be organized as an interactive session, promoting open dialogue, discussions, and a Q&A session. Attendees will be encouraged to exchange their experiences, discuss best practices, and explore creative strategies for the heritage revitalization project. This roundtable is intended for policymakers, scholars, professionals, educators, heritage building owners, heritage enthusiasts, and residents. The outcome of this roundtable is a policy brief that will be overseen by the International Institute for Asian Studies and the Airlangga Institute for Indian Ocean Crossroads as a long-term commitment for heritage revitalization development in Surabaya.