Air, Dust, above Jakarta
Jakarta is getting dustier and dustier everyday isn’t it? And when you go outside, you go are you feeling hard to breathe, aren’t you?
Seems simple isn’t it? DUST.
I just wondering; Has Indonesian Health Department surveys about patient symptom hard to breathe in Jakarta? If yes; Is the survey showing considerable population in several specific location?
Well… I just put suspicion on this matter. Let me explain my hypothesis.
We all know about land breeze and sea breeze, and how it impacts local climate at shore, as Jakarta respectively. My theory begins with air pollution over Jakarta. During the day, the air is polluted not only by CO2, but also with other particles produced by vehicles and industries.
At day time, those particles are lifted by the wind to the sea. While when night time, sea breeze bring those particles back to the city. However, the city isn’t sleep and keeps producing particles. As a result, the quantity is getting higher! Those are particles produced within night time and during daytime which brought back by the wind.
The cycle happens everyday. Imagine the amount of dust on Jakarta’s sky is doubled by each day. Maybe it contains particles from years back then!
The other theory is about tall buildings and how they impact the environment. Jakarta has them, sprawling randomly over those low storey residential called kampong.
In terms of air movement related with building orientation, skyscraper causes two. Firstly, wind tunnel. The wind is directed in focused direction with high pressure. In Jakarta, you could strongly feel it along Jalan Sudirman – the paving material is very good, the landscape is beautiful, yet it is hard to walk while keeping your skirt “safe”. The higher buildings, the massive wind could through. Moreover it carries more particles causes the disease.
Second, if the building blocks the wind, then the wind turns to the top and downhill, and manage wind whirl on the ground level. The result is inconvenient ground level. Not only because the wind, but because of the dust brought by.
Those causes may concentrates the patients in several specific locations in Jakarta. Of course, the theory only works on them; firstly, low income people- who doesn’t have any money to buy air purifier, air conditioning unit, or car, and for them who works on the “red spot” and outside everyday, e.g. policeman.
This posting –again- should further researched for the sake of urban civilization. However, this is a good reminder for you to be aware to your surrounding. And for them: architects, planners, and urban designers to be careful for their design or plan.
Add comment January 29, 2008
VISIT INDONESIA 2008 (2)
Wow… Indonesian government is indeed moving fast. Have you seen two of 5 minutes advertisement promoting the tourism?
I do have some critics about the advertisement. However, because I am proud the government could perform the plan right on time, let’s just ignore it… 
Just recently, I’ve joined a group similar to the title. It is moderated by the government, gathering young Indonesian to concern about this mega-program. Most of them promote the country as a paradise, so on, and so on. Just exactly same as the elementary school text book (or what was said by their elementary teacher).
Don’t get me wrong, but please manage your expectation.
Yes, if you open your mind Indonesia is indeed a beautiful country. However, Indonesia is NOT a paradise. Indonesia is still a developing county, which for the past few years struggle with natural disasters happened. Yes, you will find some deficiency during your visit to Indonesia. However, as we do the best to serve you, please open your heart and mind, and enjoy the trip.
The “ultimate in diversity” slogan is perfectly matched to this country. Imagine that you will find unique custom, attractive landscape, odd lingo (you will find some words with different meaning and manner), diverse culinary and shopping experience in each province! They are 33 provinces in Indonesia, so you can have 33 of them!
Last, if you are open minded people, I dare you to come to Indonesia. Have unforgettable trip and refreshing spirit afterwards.
For more information, go to:
PS: Buat teman-teman Indonesia, please dong? Promosikan sesuatu yg unik dari daerah kalian di”comment”. Kalau bisa “in English”, biar bisa dibaca bule-bule, jadi mereka tertarik sama negeri kita. Turis datang, uang datang, rakyat senang! Hehehe….
Add comment January 9, 2008
Selamat Tahun Baru 2008
Malam tadi, Jakarta diguyur hujan. Agaknya hal itu mengganggu banyak perayaan malam tahun baru. Dari ratusan kembang api yang dinyalakan, lebih banyak terdengar suara letusannya daripada mekar kembangnya.
Saya jadi teringat, tahun lalu di Sydney. Perayaan tahun baru dipusatkan di Circular Quay. Sebuah public event yang rapi penyelenggarannya. Dimulai dari publikasi yang informatif, transportasi yang memadai, dan.. *bayangkan* dengan Aussie habbit yang selalu merayakan event (dari yang bisa sampai yang luar biasa) dengan minum bir, esok paginya spot-spot perayaan sudah rapi jali. Kembang api-nya pun luar biasa. Berlainan dengan tahun-tahun sebelumnya, kali ini gedung-gedung perkantoran di sekitar CQ juga turut urun kembang api. Meriah sekali. Tidak rugi untuk menunggui spot dari jam 2 siang sampai 1 pagi keesokan harinya, sampai dibela-belain masuk angin.
Itulah, saya jadi tercenung. Mengapa perayaan tahun baru di Jakarta tidak dipusatkan ya? Seperti terpisah dan berdiri sendiri-sendiri. Layaknya Jakarta mempunyai time-zone yang berbeda-beda.
Walau begitu, saya optimis dengan tahun 2008. Ada rencana, dan pastinya ada usaha, tapi saya yakin semuanya akan baik-baik saja, lebih baik malah. Teman-teman juga begitu bukan?
5 comments January 1, 2008
