Changeability, adaptability, and resiliency of Indonesian historic area: A case of Kesawan, Medan

Abstract

This paper aims to analyse changes in buildings and plots in a historical area in Medan, Indonesia, in 1875, 1945, and 2023. Change is discussed from the aspect of physical and functional change. The ability of an environment to change and adapt is in line with the concepts of resilience and sustainability. This paper shows that buildings change functionally from hotels and clubhouses to banks. Plots became smaller as previous plots were divided into smaller parts separated by new streets or alleys. This pattern was more pronounced in large, square-shaped plots. Factors that drove these changes were influenced by political factors (lack of government regulation and social movement against Dutch colonialism) and economic factors (Kesawan's role as a business center).