Cite this article
Nursanty, E., Rusmiatmoko, D., Widiantara, I W. A. (2024) ‘Bridging traditions: Placemaking and authenticity in architecture for city branding’, Architecture Papers of the Faculty of Architecture and Design STU, 29(3), pp. 15-24. https://www.doi.org/10.2478/alfa-2024-0014
SUMMARY
This paper delves into the intricate relationship between placemaking and the authenticity of traditional architecture within city branding, specifically focusing on Surakarta City, Indonesia. The study highlights Surakarta’s efforts to preserve its cultural heritage while fostering modern urban development to establish a unique city identity.
Surakarta, known for its rich cultural tapestry and significant heritage sites such as the Kasunanan and Mangkunegaran palaces, serves as a model for integrating traditional Javanese architecture into contemporary urban landscapes. These efforts not only preserve the city’s historical essence but also enhance its brand identity, promoting cultural sustainability and economic growth. The preservation of these landmarks facilitates community engagement and identity formation, making them pivotal anchors in the city’s urban landscape.
A central theme in Surakarta’s city branding is the balance between maintaining architectural authenticity and embracing modernity. The city’s branding strategy, encapsulated in the slogan “Solo: the Spirit of Java,” underscores its identity as a hub of Javanese culture. This branding is consistently reflected in the city’s developmental and promotional activities, from careful planning of tourist areas to nurturing of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the batik and culinary arts sectors.
The collaborative efforts between the government, communities, industry players, and the public are crucial in sustaining a cohesive city branding strategy. This multi-stakeholder partnership is exemplified by the revitalisation of historical landmarks like the Keraton Kasunanan and Pura Mangkunegaran. These initiatives not only preserve cultural heritage but also amplify the city’s cultural identity.
Looking towards the future, Surakarta continues to innovate and evolve its branding to stay relevant. This involves developing digital content and creative industries, ensuring that the city’s cultural essence thrives in a modern context. These strategies offer valuable lessons for other Indonesian cities aiming to establish compelling and resilient place branding.
Despite the successes, the research highlights challenges in harmonising the preservation of historical sites with urban development dynamics. Future research should explore strategies to sustain these heritage sites amidst urbanisation pressures, ensuring they continue to enrich the city’s brand and serve as vibrant community centres.
The paper concludes that integrating placemaking with the authenticity of traditional architecture, as exemplified in Surakarta’s stewardship of its heritage sites, is a vital strategy in city branding. This approach honours and leverages the city’s heritage while paving the way for creating distinctive, liveable and sustainable urban spaces. As urban landscapes evolve globally, insights from Surakarta offer valuable lessons in balancing heritage preservation with contemporary urban needs.
References in the study include works by Akturan (2016) on city branding content and development, Al-Lahham (2014) on the authenticity of architecture, Alzahrani et al. (2017) on the social value implications of placemaking, and Ashworth & Kavaratzis (2007) on brand management for cities. The study employs qualitative research methods, including document analysis, semi-structured interviews, and observational studies, to gather comprehensive data on Surakarta’s urban planning and branding strategies.
Surakarta’s approach to integrating traditional architecture within modern urban development through collaborative efforts and innovative strategies offers a robust model for city branding. This model not only preserves cultural heritage but also fosters a unique city identity that resonates with residents and visitors alike, promoting both cultural and economic sustainability. As other cities look to develop their own branding strategies, Surakarta’s experience provides a valuable blueprint for creating authentic, vibrant, and sustainable urban spaces.