Sean+Agustin+on+Green+Space+Management

I am fully aware that there is a problem in population and people’s distribution in places. As also stated by Dr. Widodo, there is a continuous trend wherein people who live in Rural areas decrease while people in Urban increase through time which we also know as urbanization. Urbanization is seen as a symbol of modernism and development, settlement and industry development, land and change but is also unfortunately a symbol of environmental degradation as well. Also, he stated that as our population continues to increase, more people need to be fed and because of this, the community needs to plan projects that will still keep the “balance” despite the unequal distribution of people in different areas and communities.

I have heard of Green Architecture but the term “green space management” was then totally new to me. During the talk, I learned that Green Space Management/Green Open Space(GOS) is similar to the idea of Green Architecture. Green Architecture is an architectural practice wherein people design buildings that are ecologically sustainable and will maximize the available energy in an area while Green Open Space is designing landscapes and redesigning water bodies (rivers) that will improve ecological balance. In GOS, areas are constructed and managed in a way that there is vegetation/greens everywhere. I do believe that the topic on GOS must continuously be discussed as it is an effective way of decreasing pollution. Through green space management, we can control the “ecological balance” as Green Open Space or GOS aids in air circulation, balancing the climate, provides shading, aids in oxygen circulation and rainwater interception, is a pollution absorber and wind controller altogether. In addition, GOS beautify the places (aesthetics) and may indirectly affect the socio-cultural aspect and economy of a community.

During the talk, I learned that In Indonesia, the code river walk rehabilitation project is being implemented. The proponents of the project monitor the quality of river water for months. What they do is they redesign the river to make it accessible to all people and improve the water flow, which will in the long run, result to cleaner water. Although the project is of great importance and benefit, there are problems that are being encountered are as follows: budget constraints, coordination with board members and other officials, migration and social and local regulations and community awareness.

The talk was really very informative and interesting although it was difficult to understand some of the things that the speaker says because of the “language barrier”. But overall, it was a good talk!