1. Depok Car Free Day Initiative:
Towards a Less Polluted Future
A.A. Sg. Dwinta Kuntaladara
Jaqualine Lukman
M. Iman Usman
International Relations Department
Faculty of Social and Political Science
Universitas Indonesia
2012
1
2. Chapter I
Introduction
1.1 Research Topic
The Ministry of Enviroment of Indonesia has announced in the year 2005 that Depok is
the dirtiest metropolitant city in the country along side Tangerang and Palembang. 1 This
is due to several factors, with air pollution and waste disposal being the two main reasons.
The level of air pollution in this city is significantly high, above the average of 50%.2
This shows that, indeed, the main problem with Depok’s environment lies within its air.
Having both present and future generation at stake caused by the seriousness of air
pollution, this research will take upon the topic of “Depok Car-Free Day” as an
attempt to address the problem and bring Depok to a more sustainable future.
1.2 Research Focus
This research will focus on the discussion of the problems of high pollution in Depok and
the feasibility of the implementation of Depok Car-Free day as one of the possible
solution to reduce the impact of the problem itself.
1.3 Research Objectives
The project is conducted to identify the problems of pollution in Depok, and to raise the
awareness about high pollution level mainly caused by carbon emission of vehicles
notably in the area of Depok. The unbearable level of pollution emphasizes the need to
have a car free day in Depok. At the same time, it is expected that this project will
become a recommendation for possible solution to the government of Depok and
stakeholders in reducing the pollution level. At the end, this project will invoke a change
in society’s lifestyle as a step to help reduce pollution in Depok.
1.4 Research Methods
This research will be conducted through literature survey to search comprehensive data of
traffic flow and the amount of private vehicles, and also pollution level in Depok. In
addition of literature survey, there will be a filed study by survey. The datas will be
1
“Kota Terkotor di Indonesia”, accessed from
http://www.menlh.go.id/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1610%3A%3Cb%3EKOTA-
TERKOTOR-DI-INDONESIA%3C%2Fb%3E&catid=43%3Aberita&Itemid=73&lang=en
2
“Depok Butuh Car-Free Day”, accessed from http://www.rintisyanto.com/?p=751
2
3. analyzed through comparation with similar case and in-depth study using theoretical
framework on sustainable city. People in Margonda Raya Street will be surveyed to see
their aspiration about the feasibility of car free day in Depok.
1.5 Research Timeline
The project will be conducted through this expected timeline:
Week 1 – Week 2 : Literature survey
Week 3 : Site visit
Week 4 : Survey to people in Margonda Raya street
Week 5 : Data processing and group discussion
Week 6 – Week 7 : Finalizing the project report
Week 8 : Proposing the recommendation to relevant stakeholders
3
4. Chapter II
Findings
2.1. Depok as a Sustainable City
There are many descriptions that define the term “sustainable city”. The term itself goes
beyond the boundaries of science and business to include the thoughts given towards
human development, values, and differences in cultures.3 The inclusion of human
development, values and many things at the same time refers back to the concept of
sustainable development. This term is widely understood as the development that meets
the needs of the present without comprimising the ability of future generations to meet
their own (Brundtland Commission).4 With the development and advancement of
awareness and technology, the concept of sustainable development has been taken to one
step closer to the lives of humans in one of their smallest areas of living: their city.
The Sustainable City concept was developed by Sweco for the 2002 World Summit of
Sustainable Development in Johannesburg on behalf of the Swedish Government through
the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of the Environment and the Swedish
environmental technology industry by way of the Swedish Trade Council.5 The objective
of creating this concept was to promote a sustainable development of cities – in
economic, social, ecological and spatial dimensions. Sweden has shown that the concept
of a sustainable city is not an easy concept to realise. In fact, it takes numerous steps for
a city to be thoroughly sustainable. This can be seen from the many criterias that need to
be fulfilled such as the ones below:6
a. In a sustainable city, the use of renewable recources is emphasized.
b. Consumption is minimized and resources are managed in a way that maximizes
recovery and reuse.
c. There should be synergies between sewage, waste and energy production and enable
coordination with efficient land use, landscape planning and transport systems.
3
“What is a Sustainable City?”, in Regional Environmental Center Archieve, accessed from
http://archive.rec.org/REC/Programs/Sustainablecities/What.html.
4
Ibid.
5
SWECO, Sustainable City Development: the Sweco Approach, p. 1.
6
Ibid.
4
5. d. For already existing cities, energy demands need to be reduced by 75% and achieve
an energy supply based on renewables.
Although there are only four points shown above, but these points mean a lot when it is
being implemented in real life. They are difficult, but we need to believe that it is not an
impossible thing to achieve. If these criterias are related to the condition of Depok
nowadays, it is a sad thing to say that the city is still very far away from becoming a
sustainable city.
Depok does not currently emphasize on the use of renewable resources. This city does
not regulate the minimization of non-renewable resources, nor does it regulate the
reduction of consumption. If in any case, Depok seems to be generating more and more
consumption of non-renewable resources. The third criteria is perhaps the clearest one to
judge in Depok. There are no synergies between sewage, waste and energy production.
Land-use efficiencies cannot be seen in Depok seeing as the roads alone do not seem to
be planned to serve the shortest routes to users. Over all, if Depok is to be transformed
into a sustainable city, there are many things that need to be done.
But this condition should not let heads down and give up on the concept of a sustainable
Depok. The transformation of Depok becoming a sustainable city can be started from the
reduction of the rate of pollution of this city, one day at a time.
2.2. Air Pollution in Depok
On 26th October 2011 the online site for quick information on Depok showed the rate of
the town’s air pollution. According to the Badan Lingkungan Hidup (The Environmental
Body), the rate of air pollution in Depok has reached 30%. This rate concluded based on
researches towards 100 samples of vehichles, both private and public, in the most dense
spots like Jalan Raya Bogor, Cinere, Sawangan, and Margonda. From each spot, 100
vehicles were targetted as the sample for the research. It showed that 30% of the total
amount of vehicles are emmiting and causing air pollution.7
Unfortunately, the measurement above shows the exact condition that was published a
month earlier. The newspaper Tempo published that Depok, a city with a very large
7
Icha, “Tingkat Pencemaran Udara di Depok 30 Persen”, in Depoklik, accessed from
http://depoklik.com/2011/10/26/tingkat-pencemaran-udara-di-depok-30-persen.html
5
6. volume of vehicles, does not have the necessary instruments to measure the quality of
air.8 The head of Badan Lingkungan Hidup Depok (Depok Environmental Body) Rahmat
Subagja, confirmed this to be the status quo of the city. Even if the condition of the
environment is degrading in very obvious patterns, the city’s government is in no plan to
purchase the necessary instruments.
Unfortunately, the municipal government stated that they cannot afford to buy the
needed instrument. Due to the price that reaches up to Rp 8 billion per instrument, the
government of this city is still reluctant to purchase the instruments needed. The
economic reason becomes the obstacle to be a more environmental friendly city.
2.3. Transportations in Depok
One of the main contributor of air pollution is undoubtly vehicles, both public and
private.
Table 1: List of registered vehicles in Depok 9
8
ANGGA SUKMA WIJAYA,” Depok Belum Punya Alat Pengukur Kualitas Udara“ , in Tempo, accessed from
http://www.tempo.co/read/news/2011/09/24/083358028/Depok-Belum-Punya-Alat-Pengukur-Kualitas-Udara
9
“List of Registered Vehicles in Depok”
http://www.depok.go.id/_v4/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=187&Itemid=26
6
7. 2.4. Car Free Day Schemes in Jakarta
There are a lot of complaints and criticisms about the pollution of Jakarta. The pollution
mainly refers to outcomes from transportations. As a capital city and the center of Indonesian
economic activities, Jakarta is a busy city where approximately 12,1 million vehicles making
a trip everyday10, where 700.000 of them come from outside Jakarta. Aside from worsening
traffic jams, air pollution is one of the problem regarding the circulation of vehicles. The poor
quality of public transportation is one of the main contributor of Jakarta’s pollution level. A
lot of over-aged bus, angkot, mini bus produces a high amount of CO2 emissions. As a matter
of fact, Jakarta is third on the list of the world’s most polluted cities, according to the
Indonesian Environmental Ministry11.
The pollution level is clearly unbearable for its residents. UNEP records a poor air quality in
Jakarta, with an annual average suspended particulate matter (SPM) concentration of 103
12
mg/m3. This poor air quality threats the health of the Jakartans and increases the risk of
various diseases and defects to infants. UNEP lists numerous health risks caused by air
pollution
Table 2: Health Effects in Jakarta13
10
“ 700 ribu Kendaraan per Hari Masuk Jakarta” accessed from http://metro.vivanews.com/news/read/234147-
700-ribu-kendaraan-per-hari-masuk-jakarta
11
Muhammad Jusuf “Jakarta Was The Most Polluted City in The World” accessed from
http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/6178490-jakarta-was-the-most-polluted-city-in-the-world
12
“UNEP Toolkit” accessed from http://www.unep.org/tnt-unep/toolkit/Awareness/Tool4/index.html
13
Ibid.
7
8. Seeing the facts of high pollution level, Jakarta Car-Free Day was first initiated in the capital
of Indonesia in the year 2008. This activity was launched as a scheme to reduce the air
pollution due to emissions from vehicles. Aside from that, it was also launched to create
awareness amongst the people of Jakarta to fight for a cleaner air. The Jakarta residents have
a role to implement less-pollution lifestyle.
After three years of implementation, this activity is planned to expand from once a month to
become a once-a-week activity. Complementing the Jakarta Car Free Days, Jakarta Governor
Fauzi Bowo initiated the expansion along side the city’s 484th anniversary on 22th June
2011. The new scheme adopts the odd-even numbered plates, where on one weekend only
odd numbered plates will be allowed on the streets. Even numbered plates will be allowed on
the next week. This pattern will be done over and over again. The plates restriction is
expected to reduce the traffic jams and also pollution level.
The people of Jakarta so far have been giving positive reactions and feedbacks regarding the
schemes of Car Free Day. Even though at the beginning, the program received protests from
the society, now Car Free Day is a popular among the Jakarta citizens. Car Free Day is a
great opportunity to exercise and socialize in emission free area. In fact, the idea of car free
days being expanded came from the society.14
The car free days initiatives that were first held in Jakarta have created various reactions. The
first reaction is that the people of Jakarta are pleased to have days where they can see empty
streets and bike with their families and friends. Aside from that, the dust parameter (PM-10),
carbon monoxide parameter, and the nitrogen monoxide parameter have decreased since car
free days were initiated. The Head of Pollution Control Department (Kasubdit Pengendalian
Pencemaran Sumber Kegiatan BPLHD) Rina Surya announced in 2009 that based on the
measurements of car free day intitiatives the amunt of dust in Jakarta has the decreased by
40%, the amount of carbon monoxide by 63%, and the amount of nitrogen monoxide by
71%.15
14
_____, “Jakarta’s Car Free Day to be Expanded”, in Jakarta Globe, accessed from
http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/jakartas-car-free-day-to-be-expanded/447793
15
_____, “Car Free Day Langkah Efektif Kurangi Dampak Pemanasan Global”, in Leadership Park, accessed
from http://www.leadership-park.com/new/action/car-free-day-langkah-efektif-kurangi-dampak-pemanasan-
global.html
8
9. 2.5. Car Free Day Initiatives in Depok
Jakarta’s Car Free Day is considered to be quite successful in decreasing the pollution
level and giving the chance for Jakartans to do outdoor activities without vehichles
passing by. In general, the Jakarta residences give a good response to this twice-a-month
program. The success of Jakarta’s Car Free Day inspires people to have another Car Free
Day in their region.
One of the groups who have demanded the Car Free Day is the Bellacasa Bicycle
Community (BBC). The BBC were on a weekly biking activity on the 15th May 2011 in
Depok and demanded for a Car Free Day to be held once a week in this city. The Depok
Car Free Day will be good for the city, as the program will help eliminating pollution in
a low-cost way and providing comfortable space to do outdoor activities. This demand
for Car Free Day is suggested to Badan Lingkungan Hidup (Environmental
Governmental Body), to be later forwarded to Head of DPRD (municipality) of Depok.
The Head of DPRD Depok, Rintis Yanto said that Depok City indeed needs a Car Free
Day. He said that the children of Depok deserves the rights to fresh air, clean
environment and a guarantee for good health.16 Considering the high level of pollution in
Depok, a Car Free Day program is necessity.
2.6 Cost and Benefit Analysis
Depok Car Free Day initiative has several benefits that are quite obvious. For starters,
this initiative will allow the beginning of a pollution reduction scheme that can
continuously be done in the city. Having several hours of car free moments in this city
will allow the people of Depok to enjoy physical activities like sport in places they could
not have before. Another benefit for the people is that there will be an increase of
awareness of the pollution issues that exists in Depok. The more the car free days are
implemented, the more people will be exposed to the understanding that something must
be done to overcome the pollution. Pressure from the people might help urge the
government of Depok to create more assisting programs to address other environmental
issues. Aside from that, the more the people are exposed to that understanding, the
16
Riris Yanto, “Depok Butuh Car Free Day”, accessed from http://www.rintisyanto.com/berita/depok-butuh-
car-free-day/
9
10. chances of the people of Depok becoming more demanding for eco-friendly schemes in
other forms will also increase.
In implementing this initiative, learning from Solo Car Free Day best practice, we need
to engage various communities, such as onthel bycycle community, Bike to Work, Bus
Mania Community, or KRL Mania Community. Their participation will be very
important, particularly at the early process of the implementation, because it could attract
people to join. Car Free Day is not an anti car program, but it is supposed to be a
program that promotes the awareness of towards various forms of alternative
transportations, and energy. This activity will promote the renovation of public
transportation, bicycle route, as well as pedestrian. In fact it was happening in Solo case,
after the launching of Car Free Day program, there is an increasing number of the use of
bicycle and demand for having a special route for bicycle user. Now it has 26,774 km
special route for bicycle user.17 It also suggest the society who has working place near to
their house or shops to go by walking.
This will create benefits for the environment because people will have more initiative to
save the environment. These are the benefits that will hopefully come along with the
implementation of a Depok Car Free Day initiative.
But when there are benefits, there are also costs that need to be calculated. In creating
this initiative, there ares everal costs that can also become the threats to the
implementation of Depok Car Free days. First of all, the problem with the alternative
routes for private vehicles need to be considered when implementing such intiative. After
considering some options, we think, for those who want to travel to Jakarta, might the
access of Juanda Street to go via Cimanggis. Or another proposal that might be
considered is, accelerating the implementation of Boulevard UI, so people may access
Jakarta via Universitas Indonesia street (and it is only available for bus). Second, there
are several vital places in large streets of Depok such as the Bunda Margonda Hospitan
on Jalan Margonda. The accessibility of places such as this needs to be considered so that
the initiative does not hamper the people of Depok from reaching them. Third, and
perhaps the most challenging cost, is the socialisation of this initiative to the users of
Depok streets. We understand that the users of the streets in Depok are not only people
17
Bambang Aris Sasongko, Car Free Day Transportasi Humanis, in Solo Pos, 11-6-2011, accessed from
http://www.solopos.com/2011/kolom/car-free-day-transportasi-humanis-102350
10
11. with private vehicles, but also drivers of public transportations like buses and angkot.
Socialisation to the drivers of these public transportation will take time and is very much
exposed to the chances of being protested. Apart from the drivers of those public
transportations, we also need extensive socialisation to the people of Depok in general.
For the overcoming of this cost, media is needed to spread the words on the
implementation of this initiative.
As soon as this program runs well and get a good response, we think we can adapt what
Brussel has done through their Brussel Car Free Day. It is absolute car free day, since
along the day, there is no private vehicles operating in all of the streets. Though, all
public transports such as bus and train are available to be used even for free during this
particular day. We do agree with this long term vision, because the essence of car free
day actually is not to move the traffic to another street because one street just being
closed. But the essence is to reduce the number of use of private vehicles, and people
prefer to use public transport. But to implement this idea in Depok, of course there are lot
of things to be prepared, particularly with the infrastructure and environmental education
to build people awareness at the first.
We need to realise that when we are analysing the costs of an initiative, it is only valid
when we have completed the analysis with surveys done to the people that will take part
in the initiative. We need to know what other people think of our initiative. That is why
we have also conducted surveys to people as representatives of the people of Depok. The
outcome of the surveys will be explained in the next sub-chapter.
2.7 Analysis of Survey
The sections above have shown the analysis of the writers concerning the idea of
implementing a Depok Car Free Day initiative. Since this scheme will include the people
of Depok in its implementation, it would only be fair if we also include their thoughts
representatively in this report.
This section will report the results of our survey. The survey asked 40 respondeds who
are found in randomly. They are included students, lecturers, security officers,
employers, ordinary passerby who reside or do their main activities in Depok. The
survey used a combination between closed and open questions. Closed questions (no.1-5)
11
12. are questions whose answers are already determined by the researchers. Open question
(no.6) leaves space for respondents to express their thought freely in answering
question. The open question is used to help the researchers in analyzing the feasibility of
Car Free Day program in Depok.
1. How is the air condition in Depok?
a. Very poor (16) d.Good (3)
b. Poor (16) e.Very good(0)
c. Fair (5)
Very poor
Poor
Fair
Good
Very good
0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40
2. How do the vehicles contribute to air condition in Depok?
a. Very poor (17) d. Good (0)
b. Poor (21) e. Very good (0)
c. Fair (2)
Very poor
Poor
Fair
Good
Very good
0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40
3. Have you ever heard about Car Free Day Initiative in Depok?
a. Yes (5)
b. No (35)
12
13. No
Yes
0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40
4. Do you agree on Car Free Day program being held in Depok?
a. Strongly disagree (0) d. Agree (23)
b. Diasgree (3) e. Strongly agree (11)
c. Neutral (3)
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly agree
0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40
5. Do you believe that Car Free Day program has positive impact on air condition in
Depok?
a. Strongly disbelieve (0) d.Believe (26)
b. Disbelieve (5) e. Strongly believe (1)
c. Neutral(8)
Strongly believe
Believe
Neutral
Disbelieve
Strongly disbelieve
0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40
6. The ideal time, location and frequency of Car Free Day according to you:
Monday(3)
Friday(1)
Saturday(7)
Sunday (29)
13
14. Sunday
Saturday
Friday
Monday
0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40
Once a month (17)
Twice a month (6)
Every week (15)
Twice a week (1)
Every day (1)
Everyday
Twice a week
Every week
Twice a month
Once a month
0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40
Don’t know (2)
Margonda (35)
Regularly changed (1)
All Depok area (1)
Lenteng Agung-Depok (1)
Don't know
All Depok area
Lenteng Agung-Depok
Regularly changed
Margonda Raya
0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40
14
15. As seen on the answer no.1, 80% of the respondents (32 people) think that the air
condition of Depok is poor. Half of the them (40%) even think the air condition is
very poor. Only a small amount of respondents don’t think the air condition is poor (
5 respondents for “fair” answer” and 3 respondents for “good” answer).
In the question number 2, 95% of respondents believe that vehicles like cars,
motorcycles, buses, and angkot contribute pollution which damages air condition in
Depok. 17 of the 38 respondents think gives a very bad impact to the air condition in
Depok. No one answers that vehichles give positive impact. Only 2 people answers
vehicles has no impact on the air condition.
As much as 87,5 % respondents never heard about Car Free day Initiative in Depok.
This signified the lack of enthusiasm of Car Free Day among the decision maker of
decision maker in the municipality. However, 5 people has heard about the initiative
of Car Free Day in Depok.
That is why 85% (34 people) support the initiative of Car Free Day in Depok. 11 of
them are strongly agree abut Car Free Day being held in Depok. 3 people are neutral
about it and 3 people disagree about the car Free Day program.
More than half of the respondents (67,5%) believe that Car Free Day will have
positive impact on air condition in Depok. 8 of them don’t really believe about the
positive impact. 5 of the respondents are doubtful about the success of the program on
reducing air pollution.
The last question reveals the personal preference about the time, location, and
frequency of Depok Car Free day. The respondents answer Friday, Saturday, Sunday,
and Monday as the best days to conduct Car Free Day. Most of the respondents
(72,5%) picked a holiday as people’s daily activities won’t be disturbed by the
stoppage of vehicles passing by.
On the frequency of car free day, the respondents answer once a month, twice a
month, once a week, twice a week, and every day. The respondents generally are split
between those who favor for once a month (17 people) and once a week (15 people).
15
16. Some of the respondents chose twice a month (6 people). While Small minority
answers twice a week month (1) and everyday (1)
35 of 40 people consider Margonda Raya Street the most suitable location for Car
Free Day , as it is the main street of Depok which flows of vehicles highly
concentrates. 1 person opts for Lenteng Agung-Depok route, 1 for the whole Depok
area, and 1 thinks the location should be changed every event. 2 people don’t know
which is the best part of Depok to be conducted a Car Free Day.
To conclude the above survey, most of the respondents agree that the air condition in
Depok is poor. The pollution from vehicles is one of the main factor that contributes
to poor condition. Majority of the respondents are never heard about Car Free Day
initiative. The respondents will respond positively about Car Free Day initiative and
believe it will reduce the air pollution level significantly. Car Free Day is preferred to
be held on Sunday in Margonda Street. The frequency is either once a month or once
a week.
35 of 40 people consider Margonda Raya Street the most suitable location for Car
Free Day, as it is the main street of Depok which flows of vehicles highly
concentrates. 1 person opts for Lenteng Agung-Depok route, 1 for the whole Depok
area, and 1 thinks the location should be changed every event. 2 people don’t know
which is the best part of Depok to be conducted a Car Free Day. 87,5 % respondents
never heard about Car Free day Initiative in Depok. This signified the lack of
enthusiasm of Car Free Day among the decision maker of decision maker in the
municipality. However, 5 people has heard about the initiative of Car Free Day in
Depok.
To conclude the above survey, most of the respondents agree that the air condition in
Depok is poor. The pollution from vehicles is one of the main factor that contributes
to poor condition. Majority of the respondents are never heard about Car Free Day
initiative. The respondents will respond positively about Car Free Day initiative and
believe it will reduce the air pollution level significantly. Car Free Day is preferred to
be held on Sunday in Margonda Street. The frequency is either once a month or once
a week.
16
17. From this survey, we can conclude that the proposal that would like to be proposed
related to this initiative is: having car free day once a month at Jalan Margonda
Raya every Sunday of the fourth week from 8 am to 12 am. While the access is
being closed, people could use the street for doing sport activities. If they want to go
somewhere, the public transport is available (which is the train). We think this idea is
very visible to be implemented since based on Jakarta’s Car Free Day experience, it
will reduce the tendency for people for going out on Sunday morning, promotes the
use of public transport, and increase people’s sport activities.
17
18. Chapter III
Conclusion
Based on the findings of this research, it can be concluded that Depok is still very far away
from becoming a sustainable city. Just from looking at one aspect, the aspect of air pollution,
Depok can be judged as a city that does not take environmental issues as a vital aspect of life.
The level of air pollution in Depok is extremely high. But unfortunately, this problem is not
addressed properly by the government. The city does not have proper mechanisms or
instruments to measure the rate of pollution. But unfortunately this condition is not addressed
properly by the government because it concerns the financial cost if the city was to purchase
the instruments needed. Looking at the condition of lack of political will from the
government of this city, this research comes up with an intiative to reduce the level of
polution in Depok. The initiative is to implement Depok Car Free Days on certian streets in
this city. Surveys have been conducted to collect the representation of thoughts and opinions
of the people in Depok concerning this initiative. From that survey, it has been concluded that
the people of Depok prefer our initiative to be implemented once a month at Jalan
Margonda Raya every Sunday of the fourth week from 8 am to 12 am. The concerns of
travelling on those days can be overcomed by other means of transportation, which is the
train that will not be impacted at all by the Depok Car Free Day initiative. Aside from that,
this initiative will only take several hours, not for the whole day. Therefore, people can adjust
their schedulles much easier.
18
