In the heart of Batu City, a quiet revolution is brewing along the riversides of Macari Village. This isn’t a tale of grand gestures or sweeping changes, but of a meticulous, eco-focused approach to preserving one of Indonesia’s vital water sources. At the helm of this initiative is Angga Perdana, an architect from the Islamic State University Maulana Malik Ibrahim in Malang. His work, published in the Journal of Environmental Science, is set to redefine how we approach water source conservation and landscaping in urban areas.
Macari Village is no ordinary place. It’s a critical supplier of raw water for the Brantas watershed, a lifeline for the surrounding residential and industrial areas. However, this proximity has led to a troubling trend: water pollution from industrial and household waste. Perdana’s research aims to tackle this issue head-on, proposing a comprehensive eco-riparian concept that could transform the way we think about water source conservation.
The eco-riparian concept, a program of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia, focuses on restoring and protecting riparian zones—the areas of land adjacent to rivers or streams. Perdana’s approach is holistic, combining wetland restoration, vegetation management, and strategic drainage plans to create a functional and aesthetic design that doesn’t just preserve water quality but enhances it.
One of the key aspects of Perdana’s design is the use of terraced ponds for wetland restoration. These ponds act as natural filters, trapping pollutants and improving water quality. “The terraced ponds are not just about aesthetics,” Perdana explains. “They serve a crucial function in water purification, making them an essential part of our eco-riparian design.”
But the benefits of this approach extend beyond just water quality. The energy sector, in particular, stands to gain significantly. Water is a critical resource for energy production, and ensuring its quality and availability is paramount. By implementing eco-riparian concepts, energy companies can secure a reliable water source, reducing operational risks and costs associated with water treatment.
Moreover, the aesthetic and ecological improvements can enhance the surrounding areas, making them more attractive for investment and development. This could open up new opportunities for the energy sector, from renewable energy projects to sustainable urban developments.
Perdana’s work, published in Jurnal Ilmu Lingkungan (Journal of Environmental Science), is a significant step forward in this field. It provides a comprehensive framework for eco-riparian design, one that could be replicated in other urban areas facing similar challenges. As we look to the future, it’s clear that such innovative, eco-focused approaches will be crucial in shaping sustainable urban development and securing vital resources like water.
The implications of Perdana’s research are far-reaching. It challenges us to think beyond traditional conservation methods, to consider the interconnectedness of our ecosystems, and to design with nature, not against it. As we grapple with the realities of climate change and resource scarcity, such insights will be invaluable. They remind us that the solutions to our most pressing problems often lie in the most unexpected places—like the riversides of Macari Village.
