Gianyar develops five potential zones
Wasti Atmodjo , Contributor , Gianyar
Just a year into his leadership, Gianyar Regent Cokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati, better known as Cok Ace, has carried out many breakthroughs, including allocating BOS school operational funds, healthcare funds for the less privileged, and providing micro-credit loans without collateral.
His latest innovation is to develop five zones based on their respective features.
Gianyar is one of the nine regencies and municipalities in Bali renowned for its artists and artisans. It spans 368 square kilometers (36,800 hectares) and encompasses seven districts made up of 63 villages and six subdistricts.
Cok Ace said Gianyar was potentially capable of developing further, especially from the economic and cultural aspect, which was one reason why he decided to divide the five areas according to their respective potentials and to serve as guidelines for future development.
“This is also to quell rumblings that only Ubud and its surrounding areas are prosperous, but not other areas,” Cok Ace said at his office recently.
The five planned zones are central Gianyar (encompassing areas along the Tukad Pakerisan River), west Gianyar (Ubud and its surroundings), north Gianyar (Payangan and parts of Tegalalang), east Gianyar (Gianyar city and its surrounding areas, including the coastal area), and south Gianyar (Sukawati and surrounding areas).
Cok Ace, chairman of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association’s (PHRI) Bali branch, added the condition of the Pakerisan river basin area, which includes Tampak Siring and Bedulu, was still preserved. They hold many tales, especially historical remnants from the Kebo Iwa era in the 14th century.
“This is where the Gianyar civilization began. Many historical remnants can be found in the Pakerisan river basin area, which is still intact, such as the temple at Goa Gajah and the Tirta Empul holy spring temple in Tampak Siring,” he said.
He intends to set up a living museum on a 2.5-hectare plot to complement the present archeological museum.
West Gianyar, with its center at Ubud, will be developed as Bali’s art center. Cok Ace said the art center would be an area where the local community could go about with its daily routines.
Most areas in north Gianyar, Cok Ace went on, such as Payangan and Tegalalang were still agricultural areas.
“I want to revitalize the agricultural sector and prove that agriculture can progress alongside tourism development.”
As an initial step, the regency administration has developed 5 hectares of residents’ land for agritourism, including a botanical garden. The area will be extended in the future to cultivate other plants that could meet demands from hotels, restaurants and other businesses in Gianyar and Bali.
Cok Ace has included Gianyar city and its surrounding areas in the eastern zone, which will be developed as an administrative, sports and entertainment center.
“We have set up an integrated administrative center here and a stadium is in the pipelines. The stadium will be the biggest and grandest in Bali, and can later be used to host national and even international events,” he said.
The regent also plans to have routine events at the city square and improve the beach to make visitors feel more at home, as well as build a safari park to cater to the needs of families, especially children.
The final zone is south Gianyar, encompassing Sukawati and surrounding areas, renowned the world over as an art market. Cok Ace plans to set up an art plaza there.
“The area will be managed as a plaza management, or an art village plaza. I took the idea from overseas, like they have in China and Japan,” he said.
Source: The Jakarta Post
Add comment March 17th, 2009