CULTURAL VALUE AS THE DESIGN BASIS OF ALUN-ALUN IN WEST JAVA

• Main Author: Rafialdy Janitra, Muhammad
• Format: Theses
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/62210
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Alun-alun is one of the public space typologies in Indonesia which has a rich philosophy and meaning. However, it is often found that the current condition of alun-alun does not represent its cultural values properly. Cultural values are defined as general guidelines or principles that apply in society for daily life, represented through activities, symbols, and spatial functions. Components of cultural values consist of: activities, symbols, social relations, interaction with nature, and social order/structure. In the context of urban design, cultural values have an influence on social, functional, and symbolic aspects. To respond to the current condition of alun-alun, the West Java Provincial Government has planned to revitalize the city scale alun-alun. However, there is no formulation of cultural values typical of West Java as the basis for designing alun-alun. There is a need to formulate the guidelines so that the design of the square represents the unique cultural values of West Java. This research aims to identify the cultural value of the alun-alun in West Java to strengthen the character and identity of the alun-alun as a public space. The scope of this research covers the province of West Java, however, six cityscale squares were taken as samples, consisting of Bandung, Cirebon, Bogor, Sumedang, Purwakarta, and Ciamis. This research was conducted through an exploratory approach through qualitative methods. The data used in this study include primary data sourced from books, historical records, plans, previous research, and other supporting literature, as well as secondary data through interviews and observations. The data is analyzed through qualitative content analysis to identify the components of the cultural value of the alun-alun in West Java. Results show that the components of the cultural value of alun-alun on a macro scale were not much different from alun-alun in other areas. The uniqueness of West Java is shown at the detail level, such as babancong and macro-spatial patterns based on mountains and rivers, which are not found elsewhere. The problems of the implementation of cultural values in the design of alun-alun in West Java vary from place to place. The problems that are most often encountered include the limited natural orientation of the square and the pattern of space around alun-alun is no longer complete. Based on those findings, the components that need to be regulated in the design of alun-alun in West Java based on cultural values include activity, vegetation, circulation, ornaments, supporting facilities, spatial patterns, building mass, and view protection.