Jakarta. Gubernatorial candidate Ridwan Kamil and his running mate Suswono have pledged to prioritize the revitalization of Jakarta's slum areas if they win the upcoming November election.

In an interview on Sunday, Suswono said Jakarta cannot aspire to become a global city while many of its neighborhoods suffer from environmental degradation. He noted that poor sanitary conditions and the lack of basic facilities in these areas deter foreign nationals from visiting the capital.

The first step in their revitalization plan involves relocating residents from slum areas and building new apartments.

"Improving housing conditions is essential to attracting global tourists," Suswono said during the interview in Jakarta.

The plan includes the construction of affordable apartments on land owned by the provincial government, strategically located near public facilities such as railway stations and markets, to benefit low-income families.

"Renting or buying a home in Jakarta will be more affordable because these apartments will be built on government land and integrated with public facilities like train stations and markets," Suswono explained. "This will help keep costs down while providing accessible housing."

Drawing inspiration from Turkey, Suswono, a former agriculture minister, pointed out that in rural areas there, high-rise residential buildings are constructed to both preserve agricultural lands and create open spaces for recreational activities.

"We must increase the number of open spaces in Jakarta," he said. "Many residents live in overcrowded homes with little to no access to recreational areas. Addressing this issue is one of our main priorities."

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