PARLEMENTARIA, Semarang – Efforts to make Semarang Old Town a UNESCO World Heritage site require cross-sector collaboration, particularly to strengthen area management, preserve the authenticity of historic buildings, and complete supporting documentation. These steps are considered essential to ensure that the nomination of Semarang Old Town as a UNESCO World Heritage site proceeds effectively.

This was conveyed by Member of Commission VII of the Indonesian House of Representatives Abdul Fikri Faqih during a visit by the commission to Semarang, Central Java, on Friday (13/10/2026). He said an integrated area management team was needed, including a dedicated team to handle asset management, so that all efforts to develop and preserve the Old Town could be carried out under a single management structure.

In his view, the process of securing UNESCO World Heritage status is no easy matter. In addition to taking a long time, UNESCO also applies strict standards to preserve the authenticity of buildings and the character of historic areas.

“It seems there also needs to be a team managing the assets, so everything can be handled through a single channel or under one management structure. Otherwise, this will be quite difficult. And the goal of getting UNESCO to designate it as heritage will take some time. UNESCO is also quite strict about preserving authenticity,” Fikri said.

He explained that most buildings in Semarang Old Town feature 17th-century architectural styles. Therefore, if these buildings are converted into cafes, offices, or other modern facilities, any changes must preserve their original form and character.

Fikri stressed the need to include experts, particularly architects, on the area management team. This would ensure that using historic buildings to support economic and tourism activities does not diminish their historical value or architectural authenticity.

Beyond the issue of physical preservation, Fikri also highlighted the importance of completing planning documents and ensuring regulatory compliance. He said tourism area development must be supported by planning documents aligned across local, provincial, and central governments.

He noted that the drafting of regional regulations on area development must refer to the Spatial Planning Law and take into account provisions on environmental protection and management, including the preparation of a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).

“If there is no aligned Strategic Environmental Assessment, one that is also connected with the provincial and central governments, it seems this will keep getting held up. It will never get done, because ultimately the environment will sound the alarm or issue a very serious warning,” said the Doctor of Environmental Science from Diponegoro University.

Fikri further warned of the environmental threats facing Semarang, particularly land subsidence and the risk of tidal flooding. He said efforts to preserve the Old Town must be accompanied by clear technical plans to protect the area from these threats.

The politician from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) faction also urged comprehensive studies and protective measures for the area, including consideration of water management solutions and ways to control the effects of land subsidence, so that the historic buildings can be preserved.

Meanwhile, Semarang Mayor Agustina Wilujeng Pramestuti said that support from the central government and cross-sector collaboration were essential to completing the documents required for Semarang Old Town to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.

“Yes, as was mentioned earlier, we need support going forward so that these documents can be completed soon,” Agustina said.

Semarang Old Town has been on UNESCO’s Tentative List since 2015. This status is an important stage in the World Heritage nomination process, which requires the fulfillment of various requirements and the completion of supporting documents.

Through the visit, Commission VII of the Indonesian House of Representatives urged the local government, together with relevant ministries and agencies, to strengthen coordination, unify area management, and ensure that building preservation and environmental protection are central to planning. With cross-sector support, efforts to make Semarang Old Town a World Heritage site are expected to accelerate without compromising the authenticity and sustainability of the historic area. (est/rdn)

Towards UNESCO World Heritage Status, Semarang Old Town Needs Cross-Sector Collaboration