Denpasar to Become a Concrete Jungle?

(11/10/2008)

A report in BisnisBali warns that Bali's capital city of Denpasar is under threat of becoming a "concrete jungle" in 50 years if current patterns of development persist.

Of the total 12,474 hectares that comprise the capital area there remains only 2,727 hectares of agriculturally productive land and another 450 hectares labeled as non-productive land. Current estimates are that 50 hectares of agricultural land is converted to residential or commercial use each year, meaning that in as little 50 years Denpasar would be devoid of agricultural areas, becoming a veritable concrete jungle.

The Chief of Denpasar's Zoning Department, I Gusti Putu Anindya Putra, confirmed that population pressures were driving the change of property usage patterns in Bali's capital resulting from increased demand for housing, offices and business space.

Putra said the government of the capital is working to control building activities and preserve agriculturally productive areas of Denpasar. In addition, the sustainability of agricultural areas is being aided through the installation of irrigation support.

Other areas of Denpasar are being converted to "high-end" agricultural production utilizing hydroponics techniques and greenhouses.

Anindya Putra said the main tools at the disposal of the municipal government are the existing zoning regulations, enforcement of "no-build green zones" and general support to agriculturalists.