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The Glodok Pancoran area to Jalan Pintu Kecil, Taman Sari, West Jakarta, is known as one of the trading centers and cultural tourism destinations in Jakarta.
However, the ongoing chaotic conditions have made the area far from comfortable for visitors.
Urban Planning Observer from the University of Indonesia, M. Aziz Muslim, emphasized the importance of better organization so that Glodok can develop into a sustainable tourist destination.
“The chaotic condition of Glodok is certainly a shared concern. This area should have great potential as one of the cultural tourism destinations,” said M. Aziz when contacted by Kompas.com, Monday (9/2/2026).
According to him, ineffective arrangement and management have made the area uncomfortable, especially for tourists.
“Therefore, the regional government is expected to pay more attention to heritage areas that have high historical value, by ensuring that the governance of cultural tourism destinations such as Glodok becomes safe, comfortable, and worthy to be enjoyed by visitors,” he said.
Aziz highlighted legal awareness as the main factor behind the disorder in the area.
Sidewalk areas that should belong to pedestrians are often taken over, either for parking or street vendors’ activities.
“This shows a lack of law enforcement, as well as low public education to maintain order and comply with regulations. This situation has become a critical point causing disorder in the area,” Aziz said.
He emphasized the need for collaboration among related agencies, such as the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) in handling public order violations, the Transportation Agency in managing traffic, as well as area managers such as Pasar Jaya.
According to him, the presence of street vendors, illegal parking, and poor traffic culture also affects congestion and reduces the quality of the heritage area.
“On the other hand, economic activity is indeed an attraction of the area. The principle of ‘where there is sugar, there are ants’ applies when a place is crowded with visitors,” said Aziz.
“Visitors need parking spaces, area comfort, as well as food and beverage facilities. These attracting factors often trigger the emergence of street vendors, illegal parking, and congestion,” he continued.
He added that the government needs to be present continuously, not only after complaints arise, but through routine monitoring and consistent area management so that the destination can be enjoyed by tourists.
“To balance economic activity and historical preservation, more effective arrangement oriented toward protecting the heritage area is needed,” Aziz said.
“One of them is through providing special zones for street vendors, arranging safe parking areas without disturbing preservation, as well as improving public facilities. If this is achieved, Glodok has the potential to become a sustainable tourist destination,” he added.
Another step needed, according to Aziz, is comprehensive and integrated urban planning, including a clear spatial plan for the Glodok area.
This includes the arrangement of street vendors, public facilities, as well as optimization of traffic routes and parking.
“Improving public facilities is also important, such as proper toilets, rest areas for tourists, and good waste management,” he said.
Aziz is optimistic that if these various aspects are improved, Glodok will come back to life as an attractive and comfortable cultural tourism destination for the public to visit.
“Supervision and law enforcement must be strengthened against violations of public space use by street vendors as well as the presence of illegal parking,” he said.
Field Conditions: Chaotic and Busy with Activities
A chaotic view greeted anyone passing through the Glodok Pancoran area to Jalan Pintu Kecil that afternoon.
Kompas.com went directly to the location and saw traffic almost paralyzed due to the overflow of economic activities onto the road.
The presence of a large gate reading “Kawasan Glodok Pancoran, Chinatown Jakarta,” which was under renovation and covered with iron scaffolding, seemed like an entrance into a labyrinth of congestion.
Along Jalan Pancoran toward Jalan Pintu Kecil, sidewalks that should belong to pedestrians had completely changed function.
Hundreds of motorcycles were parked in parallel, taking up nearly half of the road, while the remaining space was used by street vendors to set up stalls.
Pedestrians were forced to walk on the asphalt, squeezed together with private cars and ride-hailing motorcycle taxis continuously honking.
The condition was worsened by temporary tents covered with transparent plastic on the side of the road.
These tents sold various Lunar New Year ornaments, ranging from lanterns to bright pink mei hua trees.
Although adding to the festive atmosphere ahead of Cap Go Meh, the tents extending into the road narrowed vehicle space, creating long queues toward Pinangsia.
The back-and-forth movement of porters and delivery workers added to the hustle and bustle.
The aroma of street food mixed with exhaust fumes.
One stall, “Sop Kaki Kambing Bang Kumis,” was crowded with buyers under a faded and torn orange tent.
Customers seemed to enjoy their meals at simple wooden tables, as if undisturbed by road dust and traffic noise.
Trading activities in front of rows of old shophouses such as “Toko Obat Berlian Baru” and clothing stores showed a striking contrast.
On one side, buyers were busy choosing dragon-patterned T-shirts, on the other, piles of yellow jerry cans and plastic garbage bags were scattered.
The lack of waste facilities made corners of the street look shabby.
During coverage, Kompas.com only found three trash bins in the entrance and building parking area.
On Jalan Pintu Kecil, crowds of residents shopping for basic necessities and wall decorations made the human flow dense.
Interactions between sellers, buyers, and drivers asking for directions created deafening noise.
No parking signs seemed to be merely decorative.
Right under the signs, loading and unloading activities and motorcycle parking took place massively without officer supervision.
Overlapping electrical cables hung low above vendors’ tents.
Some cables were loosely tied to lampposts or wooden tent supports, posing a risk of short circuits, especially in unpredictable weather.
The aesthetics of the historic area seemed buried under uncontrolled commercial hustle.
Visitor Complaints
Reynald (27), a private employee from Bekasi, came to look for Lunar New Year supplies and culinary specialties.
He considered the area crowded and complete, but the lack of neat arrangement reduced comfort.
“I came here to look for Lunar New Year ornaments and at the same time try the food, because the choices are many and the prices are still affordable,” Reynald said when met.
He highlighted scattered trash at several points and illegal parking that narrowed the road.
“The sidewalk is used for selling, so pedestrians have to step down onto the road, it’s quite disturbing and somewhat dangerous,” he said.
Hanifa (21), a student from West Jakarta, came for culinary purposes and to enjoy the Chinatown atmosphere.
“I usually come here to enjoy the food and see the Chinatown atmosphere, which is indeed different from other places,” Hanifa said.
As a fairly frequent visitor to Glodok Pancoran, Hanifa also highlighted trash and illegal parking.
“Earlier I saw trash on the roadside, so it reduced comfort while walking. Cars and motorcycles parked on the roadside make the road narrow and congested, especially when it’s crowded,” she said.
She also experienced difficulty walking on the sidewalk because it was filled with vendors and visitors.
“Hopefully it can be arranged more cleanly and neatly, but still maintain its distinctive atmosphere so people remain interested in coming,” Hanifa said.
Responses from Parking Attendants and Vendors
“Many people come here by motorcycle or car, so they need parking spaces near the shops,” said a parking attendant who asked not to be named.
He added that parking activities are carried out to earn daily income.
“If there is no enforcement, we continue to manage parking here. Otherwise, without anyone regulating it, vehicles become chaotic,” he said.
Although aware of the narrow road due to illegal parking, the parking attendant admitted that visitors want their vehicles to stop close to the shops. Meanwhile, Fuat (51), a clothing vendor on the sidewalk, said that using the sidewalk for selling has been going on for a long time due to limited space inside the shop.
“Here, since long ago, we have sold goods extending to the front because inside it’s already full,” Fuat said.
He admitted that his stall reduces pedestrian space, but this is common in market areas.
“If it’s placed inside, people passing by may not enter. If it’s in front, it’s more visible,” he said.
Fuat hopes that arrangement will not kill small traders’ businesses.
“If it’s regulated, that’s fine, but don’t let us be unable to sell anymore. Since long ago the atmosphere has been like this, crowded and full of vendors. That’s also what makes people come,” Fuat said.
Enforcement Efforts from Satpol PP
The Head of Satpol PP of Tamansari District, Goodman Sidabutar, said that after the news went viral, his party immediately carried out enforcement and socialization to vendors and related parties.
“Going forward, guarding will be carried out every day in the area so that conditions remain orderly,” Goodman said when contacted.
Regarding illegal parking, Goodman emphasized that parking matters are not entirely under Satpol PP authority.
“The management needs to be confirmed with the Transportation Agency or the Parking Unit. Specifically in front of Chinatown, there is no parking levy managed by any particular party,” he said.
Satpol PP is tasked with controlling violations, while enforcement against illegally parked vehicles falls under the Transportation Agency.
Handling is carried out collaboratively, with a plan for joint enforcement with the Transportation Agency and traffic police at 13.00 WIB.
