Apartments As A Solution To The Problem Of Vertical Housing Needs With Limited Land

Putri Harfitalia, S.T., dan Dr. Ir.Matius Jusuf, M.M., MBA

Mahasiswa dan Dosen Magister Manajemen Properti dan Penilaian, Pasca Sarjana USU

As the capital of North Sumatra province, Medan is one of the autonomous regions with a high population density ratio, with the population increasing yearly. The imbalance of land area with population can increase the demand for vertical housing.

The shrinking and increasingly expensive land conditions pose a significant challenge in providing housing in urban areas, especially in Medan. Vertical development is considered the best alternative to address this issue. Vertical housing, often called apartments, are multi-story buildings constructed in an environment divided into functionally structured parts horizontally and vertically, with units that can be owned and used separately, primarily for residential purposes, equipped with shared areas, common items, and communal land. The government's commitment to the importance of apartments is demonstrated through the presence of Law No. 16 of 1985, which has been in effect since 1974.

As cities become more densely populated, the demand for housing increases, leading to large-scale land utilization, rising land values, and housing unit prices. This continuous trend is a domino effect accompanying housing development programs. To address the increasing land values in urban areas, the government issued Ministerial Decree No. 04/KPTS/M/1999, outlining the National Housing and Settlement Development Strategy by promoting vertical housing development in densely populated areas, especially in major cities and metropolises. Vertical housing development enhances land efficiency and can potentially subsidize future housing prices.

However, challenges persist in vertical development, including cultural, economic, technical, legal, administrative, and property management issues. Efforts required to address these challenges include mature planning, community education, and ongoing evaluation to achieve the vertical development goals in addressing population issues and land challenges.

One type of vertical housing is apartments. Apartments are buildings consisting of multiple residential units arranged vertically, sharing similar space and facilities to address high-density living and limited urban land. Apartments are divided into two ownership systems: rental and ownership. Many investors are currently seeking apartments and condominiums. The demand for these residences is high, especially in locations near business centers, campuses, and areas where foreign nationals reside and work. Living in strategically located apartments and condominiums allows residents easy access to offices, campuses, and city centers.

Several apartments and condominiums are located in Medan, such as Podomoro City Deli Medan, Manhattan Apartment, The Reiz Condominium, Grand Sentraland Medan Apartment, Grand Jati Junction Apartment, Centre Point Condominium, Royal Condominium, City View Condominium, and Danau Toba Condominium.

Considerations for starting an apartment business include:
1. Target Market Determination: Identify the target market, such as students, employees, or entrepreneurs, to select the appropriate apartment type.
2. Strategic Location: Based on the target market, find an apartment location suitable for the rental business. Proximity to the target market, such as campuses for students, increases rental opportunities.
3. Promotion: Promote the business offline or online through social media and targeted marketing to reach potential renters efficiently.

Vertical housing, like apartments, requires competent and reliable property managers to optimize property sustainability. One key aspect of good apartment management is implementing green management concepts, such as Green Architecture. Green Architecture focuses on ecological and environmentally friendly design to achieve a balance between human interaction with the environment. The five crucial aspects of Green Architecture include environmental friendliness, sustainability, health considerations, climate suitability, and aesthetic functionality.

Let's embrace the idea that apartments offer comfortable living alternatives. Let's support the idea of more people owning properties like apartments, as they provide a solution to limited land availability when many people need living spaces. Investing in apartments can yield significant returns. Good luck in your endeavors.


Publication in Analisa Newspaper (Koran Analisa)