Jakarta, 3 October 2025 — With stakeholders from Bappeda DKI, the Cultural Heritage Expert Team (TACB), and Bank Mandiri, Deputy Minister of Creative Economy Irene Umar ensured that the revitalization of Kota Tua (Jakarta Old Town) begins on a foundation of strong collaboration. This initiative aims to prevent bottlenecks in long-term development while serving as an inspiration for the creative economy.
Wakil Menteri Ekonomi Kreatif, Irene Umar, melakukan visitasi Bank Mandiri di Kota Tua, Jakarta, Jumat (03/10/2025).
“This is a long-term plan, so the blueprint must be prepared from the outset to ensure phased development without causing bottlenecks. That is why we involve various stakeholders, including Bank Mandiri as the asset owner, MRT Jakarta, and the Cultural Heritage Expert Team, to ensure that the urban renewal concept aligns with the historical values of the area while supporting creative economy development,” said Deputy Minister of Creative Economy Irene during a survey of Bank Mandiri-owned buildings in Kota Tua on Friday, 3 October 2025.
The Deputy Minister of Creative Economy views the Kota Tua revitalization as part of efforts to optimize the nation’s cultural assets. She encourages the development of this historic area to become an example of synergy between cultural preservation and creative growth.
“We hope we can work together out of love for Kota Tua and a shared purpose. It’s not about which agency we come from, but as Indonesians who want to develop this area systematically and in phases so that historical values are preserved while also creating a living space for the creative economy,” added Deputy Minister of Creative Economy Irene.
Communication Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
This activity is also a concrete step in implementing Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), an urban development concept that integrates land use with public transportation services.
Head of Bappeda DKI Jakarta, Atika Nur Rahmania, noted that TOD aligns with urban revitalization efforts driven by the Jakarta Provincial Government in collaboration with the Ministry of Creative Economy.
“Transit-oriented development aligns with the urban renewal concept for Kota Tua that we are developing. Considering we have an extraordinary momentum in the next two years, with Jakarta’s 500th anniversary, we are bound together by our passion—for Kota Tua, for the creative economy, and more—so this is more like an ecosystem driven by shared commitment,” said Atika.
Communication Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
Meanwhile, TACB representative and architect Cosmas Gozali highlighted the strategic role of the creative industry in transforming urban areas. Creative communities can revitalize previously underutilized spaces, including warehouses or old buildings, into new activity centers with economic and social value.
“The creative industry is always dynamic and capable of bringing a city to life. We’ve seen this in West London, Shanghai, and Brooklyn, where previously high-crime areas have become some of the most valuable neighborhoods in New York. The same can happen in Kota Tua, where empty warehouses have the potential to be transformed into new living spaces through a creative ecosystem,” said Cosmas.
The survey agenda included a tour of Kota Tua, starting from Museum Mandiri, which will host the TOD Forum 2025, followed by Gedung Kalibesar Barat and Gedung Arsip Fatahillah. The visit aimed to review the planned adaptive reuse of unused buildings for revitalization purposes.
Communication Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
Also present during the activity were Deputy Minister of Women Empowerment and Child Protection Veronica Tan, Head of Jakarta Transportation Office Syafrin Liputo, Head of DKI Tourism and Creative Economy Office Andhika Permata, Jakarta Investment Centre Head Tona Hutauruk, MRT Jakarta Business Development Director Farchad Mahfud, representatives from Bank Mandiri and Jalindonesia Hilmar Farid, as well as Infrastructure Facilitation Director Fahmy Akmal from the Ministry of Creative Economy.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Acting Head of Bureau of Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
