iSurprise Kampung Tongkol

Kampung clearance survivor

This kampung miraculously survived the wrecking ball of a large scale kampung clearance initiative along the Ciliwung river.

Destined to become a green area, but the people of the close-knit Kampung Tongkol successfully put a halt to the plans. They got help from University of Indonesia’s architecture students and Architecture Sans Fontières Indonesia (ASF ID) to improve the village: widen the river to reduce risk of flooding, restore and paint all facades and open an urban farm. The result: a self-reliant community and a cheerful stretch of urban artworks.

Participatory design

Rumah Kontoh is a model house for kampung upgrading: a three storey lightweight structure of stones, bamboo and recycled wood to house seven families, who share a common space and communal bathroom with clean water and sanitary facilities. Unique for Jakarta, the design was done hand in hand with the kampung residents and the wall frescoes are the work of the kampung kids.