Kampong Code

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5 ( 3 Voter(s) )

A. Overview

Those who have been living in Yogyakarta for quite long must have heard about Kampong Code, a residence at the bank of Code River. Until today, there have been many professors or scholars that conducted a research on the kampong. But probably, only few who know much about how was the kampong before architect and man of letter Romo Mangun, nickname of Y.B. Mangunwijaya came to later get things in order.

Kampong Code used to be a slum. It was not clear as to who owned the land below Gondolayu Bridge, so many homeless came to the area to stay and set up some very modest houses. The residents consisted of rag pickers, beggars, street musicians, pickpockets, and thieves. The area back then was very dirty and messy because there were tons of rag pickers’ stuffs.

The kampong actually gave an illustration of the condition of poor urban people. The buildings there were made of cartons and plywood. When rain season came, water submerged the area and sometimes drifted the home. In 1984, the government planned to relocate the people to other area due to danger of flood. They reasoned that the place was inhabitable. But people were firm to refuse the decision.

Romo Mangun came to the area originally for humanitarian work after a big flood, but his close relationship with the people moved him to build the kampong to make it a better and also healthier place to live in. Romo Mangun rebuilt the residence with the construction of some general facilities such as public convenience, playing ground, hall for library, educative activities, and meeting.

Romo Mangun arranged the area over by setting up modest houses of wood and bamboo work walls, which was then rented for Rp 1,000 per month. The houses were painted in Jogja-esque motive, usually animation figure or scenery. These houses are still there today.

Quite many have-nots stay at the hall to get education. Aside from library, in the wooden hall they sleep, watch TV, read books, play around, and even breastfeed kids.

Romo Mangun also changed the people’s view of life that now they have better occupations such as merchant, parker, or shop keepers. Along with Pondok Rakyat Foundation, Romo Mangun educated the people about how to manage money until finally, the government gave up their eviction plan. And after sometime in 1992, Kampong Code as the work of Romo Mangun and the people got an international award, which was Aga Khan Award for Architecture.

B. Features

Kampong Code provides an obvious example for a theory that cannot be applied well in reality. Some of you might understand that right to land is determined by whether you have the land certificate or not. But it does not work like that in Kampong Code. Some houses do not have any certificate but they can afford the building permit and also electricity.

Kampong Code’s assets are Romo Mangun-inherited houses and the unwritten social convention. Nobody can claim the houses and those who are allowed to occupy the houses are the homeless ones, that is for a very low rent of Rp 1,000 per month.

If one day their economic condition gets better or they die or move out of the kampong, the houses’ custody shall be handed back to the board of the kampong and thus available for others who need. Such was more or less the last message of Romo Mangun.

In line with it, people always urge each other that once they are well off, they should not expand their house and if they want to renovate it, it should follow the blueprint characteristic of Kampong Code, such as with colorful roof made of bamboo work. They are determined to keep their kampong beautiful. From this we can see that Romo Mangun has done a great work in building a society that has a real vision and advanced thought.

Kali Code now looks very clean with houses arranged neatly. As you pass the gate, at your right hand side there is a rumah panggung (house built on stilts) in some kind of compartments that looks like a high-rise. Built in 1984, this house is the first architectural work of Romo Mangun in this area.

The planning of the kampong is very neatly structured and in fact has attracted many movie makers to make a film in this location. One of the movies with Kampong Code set is Jagad X Code which was released in 2008.

C. Location

Kampong Code is located in Kota Baru Sub-district, Gondokusuman District, Yogyakarta.

D. Access

Access to the location is easy and costs a little, by private or public transportation, taking motorcycle or car, minibus or city bus. If you take your own vehicle, however, you will have to park it at a nearby McDonald’s restaurant for there is no parking lot in the kampong.

Taking public transportation will allow you to get to the kampong, that is by route-4 or route-17 bus. You should get off at Gondolayu Bridge and walk to the kampong just below it.

E. Ticket

There is no admission charge. You will only have to keep the kampong clean by not littering or painting the walls there.

F. Accommodations and Other Facilities

Kampong Code provides some facilities to make your visit more comfortable. Some houses are available for rent at a very affordable rate. This will surely provide those who want to conduct a research here with ease for this make it possible for them to interact with people intensely.

Meanwhile, being located downtown, hotels are not a problem. Some public services are also there such as traditional massage, laundry cleaning, traditional food stalls, convenient stores, and many others.

Text: Adi Tri Pramono
Photo(s): Collection of Jogjatrip.com
Translation: Reza Daffi
(Primary data and various sources)

Read : 4321 time(s).

If you are from outside Yogyakarta and want to visit this place by travel agency services,
please contact:

Maharatu Tour and Travel

Jl. Sisingamangaraja No. 27 Yogyakarta.
Telp. +62 274 8373005. Fax. +62 274 379250
Email : maharatu@maharatu.com -maharatu257@yahoo.com
Website : www.maharatu.com

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