Local Wisdom of the Native Settlement as A Main Gate in the Northern Axis of Javanese City Center in Semarang

Abstract

Similar to the city structure of Islamic cities in Java, Semarang also has multi-ethnic kampongs located around alun-alun / traditional square. There is a uniqueness kampong ethnic village that was located in the coastal city of Semarang. Now there are no longer in coastal area. Based on historical method using some old maps and the old images and field study resulted that the old city centre of Semarang had a north axis connecting the seaport (Kampung Darat - 14th century) to the alun-alun as administrative city centre (16th century). The axis was once a commercial corridor with settlements arrays behind the commercial corridor. There is some local wisdom in the settlement arrangement. The economic and religious harmonies live together along the corridor. The ethnic Chinese and Arabs as a merchant set up shop houses in the corridor that had a strategic value. Meanwhile, Malay, Arab, Cirebon and Banjar settlements located behind commercial corridors. This corridor present that the economic activity dominated done by Arabic and Chinese trader. Local wisdom in urban design heritage along North axis functioned as main gate to traditional city centre. The local wisdom is potential to be integrated with recent situation and replicated in another region.