05 March 2025
Theo Fidelis Tarigan
At the Architecture Jumpa Tengah (AJT) event held by the Indonesian Architects Association of North Sumatra Province, Isnen Fitri, ST, M.Eng, Ph.D, Secretary at the Master of Property Management and Valuation (MMPP) Study Program and Lecturer at the Department of Architecture at the Faculty of Engineering at the same university as well as the Medan City Cultural Heritage Expert Team, delivered important insights on cultural heritage preservation. She emphasized that cultural heritage preservation is not only limited to historic buildings but also includes intangible heritage that is an integral part of a community's identity. In addition, Isnen Fitri also serves as the Head of Research and Development of Regulations and Public Policy at the non-profit organization "Beranda Warisan Sumatera (BWS) - Sumatra Heritage Trust," which focuses on the preservation and development of cultural heritage in Sumatra."
Heritage is now evolving as a silent monument and as part of a space with function and economic value. Architects are responsible for managing and designing spaces to retain their historical value. In Medan, for example, many historical buildings are still in use today, but the management is not optimal. One example is the National Building on Jalan Veteran, which is now being mediated with the Foundation to address the city government's asset administration issues. Similarly, the Paradiso Swimming Pool, which previously produced national athletes, has now been transferred to the government and is facing difficulties in debt repayment after being managed by the Foundation.
Medan City's Cultural Heritage Expert Team, which includes Isnen Fitri, has recorded around 500 historical assets, of which 126 have been designated cultural heritage. However, many are still awaiting further designation and attention from the government. An example is Medan Club, which used to be a Japanese Shinto shrine. After Japan lost the war, the main shrine was demolished, but the people of Medan retained parts of the building. Today, the building, which used to be a gathering place for scholars, is managed by a Foundation and needs optimization to retain its economic value.
Another historic building facing similar issues is the Jacobson Van Den Berg Building in Medan. It was once part of the largest trading firm during the Dutch colonial period. After independence, the building was converted into a printing press, but it is now in very poor condition, with parts gradually being demolished.
During the AJT discussion, Nazla, a USU architecture student, raised questions about the condition of the old buildings around HM Yamin Provsu Hospital, which used to be the USU Faculty of Medicine. Many of the surrounding buildings have suffered severe damage and lost their identity. In response to this, Dr. Isnen confirmed that the buildings could be included in the ODCB (Object of Suspected Cultural Heritage) list, which has the same treatment as cultural heritage and should not be damaged or altered before the documentation is complete.
In addition, Ms. Hana, one of the AJT participants, highlighted that heritage buildings should ideally be able to finance their sustainability. A successful example is the former Medan City Hall which is now part of the Grand City Hall Hotel through a BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) scheme, where management rights are given to the private sector to develop its business while maintaining the heritage value. One of the proposed strategies is to make heritage part of a commercial enterprise, such as a Heritage Café, that can generate economic value without burdening the government budget.
Some successful heritage preservation models, such as boutique hotels in Penang and Singapore that utilize old shophouses, can be found abroad. In Medan, similar efforts can be applied to revive old buildings that have lost their economic function. Warenhuis, now known as a "dead monument" with low economic value, also needs to be re-managed to have commercial appeal. Old buildings are costly to maintain, but their economic value can be increased in various ways with the right strategy.
The sustainability of cultural heritage preservation is not only the government's responsibility but also the community and the private sector. The synergy between various parties will ensure that historic assets are maintained while having sustainable economic value. With a holistic approach, heritage is no longer just a relic of the past, but also a catalyst for more sustainable urban development. - TFT
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