Ciputra's Dream on How to Turn Indonesian Properties into Green

KOMPAS.com - The green property has not been set as a fixed standard in Indonesia as the business keeps blooming in the country. This raises the concern of the former president of FIABCI International (The International Real Estate Federation) and a prominent businessman and developer in Indonesia, Ir. Ciputra. He gives his input about FIABCI, and FIABCI's highlight this year: Green Property, and also about the project from his own group, the Ciputra World.

Ciputra recalled how at first Indonesia didn't have a real estate association, then he and other businessmen in Asia Pacific founded a regional association that started from only 10 companies. Later the associaton merged into the FIABCI International. "FIABCI comprises all disciplines in real estate: property, marketing association, appraisal, broker, building management, and others besides." Ciputra praises FIABCI for being a great benefit for the big players in property, and urges even the smaller players, that tend to be only local players, to also reap the benefits from FIABCI.

FIABCI's main theme this year is green property. Ciputra believes that the environment is everyone's responsibility. Is Indonesia ready for this? "We start with whatever we have. We don't have green buildings yet. We must start to apply green property on buildings, gradually of course," replied the businessman. Green property would cover a lot of aspects, such as power conservation and recycling garbage and waste water, so they must be done in stages.

Ciputra claimed that, although there's no standard in Indonesia yet for green property, but his group is applying the Singaporean standard for their project, the Ciputra World, and that their aiming for the platinum certification, which is the highest after bronze, silver, and gold certifications. The initial investment would be expensive, and the high bank interest rates would also be a burden, but in the long term he believes that green property can save maintenance cost on energy, water, and efficient management.

"Jakarta will start to apply them (green property) in May, but I suppose five years from now it should be mandatory; every project must be green."

Indonesia's Orchard Road

Ciputra also dreams of making Ciputra World, in Mega Kuningan, South Jakarta, like Orchard Road in Singapore. Ciputra World will be a superblock, a one-stop place for everything. Since Indonesia is considerably bigger than Singapore and is supported with 200 million people, naturally it can support more superblocks to attract tourists. Ciputra estimates that there will be around 10. Jakarta's provincial government is also supporting this plan.

"Tourists will be pleased. Whether you agree or not, the superblock will be a trend." (Robert Adhi Ksp/C17-09)