Transformation of lots dimension to sustain the pattern of blocks at the city centre of Bandung

Abstract

The goal of this research is to find how transformation occurs in a residential environments in the city centre of Bandung. At the beginning the area was a habitation for the indigenous people. The semi grid pattern which applied by the Dutch colonial government divided indigenous villages into city blocks. The government also placed a market that made this area become commercial. The commercial function were placed on the outer side of the block, in the form of row shop houses, while the inside of the block is the indigenous people houses or kampong. The difference of function between the allotments is reflected on the difference between the building material, style and ownership status. The economic development pushes some changes. At this moment irregular vertical buildings dominate the outer and inner block, leads to density. With the survey and observation method to several studied object, the present condition could be recognised, whilst to observe the transformation that occurs, past condition studied from literature and similar research in Bandung and other cities with the similar background. The research result shows that the transformation tends to be triggered by merging lots of the shop houses to full fill the needs of residence. Merging lots are the most reasonable thing to expand the house which indirectly maintain the initial block pattern; combination of commercial and residential functions at the city centre. This pattern seems appropriate for a residential area in the city centre as a high value area which has to be used effectively and efficiently. The involvement of the Local Government is expected to regulate the changes so the old area pattern could be sustained.