Lost Space Utilization for Public Activities at Railway Crossing in Mejing and Sedayu Village, Yogyakarta

Abstract

Street and railways crossing is considered as an area prone to accidents, especially crossing areas without safety barriers. However, this vacant space attracts more visitors from its surrounding neighborhood area. At certain hours of the day people uses this space to interact, socialize, play, enjoying afternoon meal, or spend some pastime while train-watching from the rail sides. Street vendors also contribute to the crowding of the area. These space should be manage by public railway company. However in most suburban area, these space has been untouched. On the other hand, the needs for urban public space as a recreational place for people has not been facilitated. Thus careless utilization of lost space at street-railways crossing are commonly found. This phenomenon, creates a sprawl of unplanned-temporary public space. Observing the Mejing and Sedayu crossing, we might see the vibrant activities creates by locals, various type of users, and habitual time used of space.