Nama : Sheena Anghelina Adam
NPM : 18210226
The
city history dates from 1488 when the first reference
to Bandung exists. But from ancient archeological finds, we
know the city was home to Australopithecus, Java Man.
These people lived on the banks of the Cikapundung in
north Bandung, and on the shores of the Great Lake of
Bandung. Flint artifacts can still be found in the Upper Dago
area and the Geological Museum has displays and fragments of
skeletal remains and artifacts.
The
Sundanese were a pastoral people farming the fertile
regions of Bandung. They developed a lively oral tradition
which includes the still practiced Wayang Golek puppet
theatre, and many musical forms. "There is a city
called Bandung, comprising 25 to 30 houses," wrote Juliaen
de Silva in 1614.
The
achievements of European adventurers to try their luck in the
fertile and prosperous Bandung area, led eventually to 1786
when a road was built connecting Jakarta, Bogor, Cianjur and
Bandung. This flow was increased when in 1809 Louis
Napoleon, the ruler of the Netherlands, ordered Governor
General H.W. Daendels, to increase defences in Java
against English. The vision was a chain of military defense
units and a supply road between Batavia and Cirebon. But this
coastal area was marsh and swamp, and it was easier to
construct the road further south, across the Priangan
highlands.
The
Grote Postweg (Great Post Road) was built 11 miles
north of the then capital of Bandung. With his usual
terseness, Daendels ordered the capital to be relocated to the
road. Bupati Wiranatakusumah II chose a site south of
the road on the western bank of the Cikapundung, near a
pair of holy wells, Sumur Bandung, supposedly protected
by the ancient goddess Nyi Kentring Manik. On this site
he built his dalem (palace) and the alun-alun
(city square). Following traditional orientations, Mesjid
Agung (The Grand Mosque) was placed on the western side,
and the public market on the east. His residence and Pendopo
(meeting place) was on the south facing the mystical mountain
of Tangkuban Perahu. Thus was The Flower City
born.
Around
the middle of the l9th Century, South American cinchona
(quinine), Assam tea, and coffee was introduced
to the highlands. By the end of the century Priangan was
registered as the most prosperous plantation area of the
province. In 1880 the rail line connecting Jakarta and
Bandung was completed, and promised a 2 1/2 hour trip from the
blistering capital in Jakarta to Bandung.
With
this life changed in Bandung, hotels, cafes, shops sprouted up
to serve the planters who either came down from their highland
plantations or up from the capital to frolic in Bandung. The Concordia
Society was formed and with its large ballroom was the
social magnet for weekend activities in the city. The Preanger
Hotel and the Savoy Homann were the hotels of
choice. The Braga became the promenade, lined with
exclusive Europeans shops.
With
the railroad, light industry flourished. Once raw
plantation crops were sent directly to Jakarta for shipment to
Europe, now primary processing could be done efficiently in
Bandung. The Chinese who had never lived in Bandung in
any number came to help run the facilities and vendor machines
and services to the new industries. Chinatown dates
from this period.
In
the first years of the present century, Pax Neerlandica
was proclaimed, resulting in the passing of military
government to a civilian one. With this came the policy of
decentralization to lighten the administrative burden of the
central government. And so Bandung became a municipality
in 1906.
This
turn of events left a great impact on the city. City Hall
was built at the north end of Braga to accommodate the new
government, separate from the original native system. This was
soon followed by a larger scale development when the military
headquarters was moved from Batavia to Bandung around 1920.
The chosen site was east of City Hall, and consisted of a
residence for the Commander in Chief, offices, barracks and
military housing.
By
the early 20's the need for skilled professionals drove the
establishment of the technical high school that was sponsored
by the citizens of Bandung. At the same time the plan to
move the capital of the Netherlands Indies from Batavia to
Bandung was already mature, the city was to be extended to the
north. The capital district was placed in the northeast, an
area that had formerly been rice fields, and a grand avenue
was planned to run for about 2.5 kilometers facing the fabled Tangkuban
Perahu volcano with Gedung Sate at the south end,
and a colossal monument at the other. on both sides of this
grand boulevard buildings would house the various offices of
the massive colonial government.
Along
the east bank of the Cikapundung River amidst natural
scenery was the campus of the Technische Hoogeschool,
dormitories and staff housing. The old campus buildings and
its original landscaping reflect the genius of its architect Henri
Maclain Pont. The southwestern section was reserved for
the municipal hospital and the Pasteur Institute, in the
neighborhood of the old quinine factory. These developments
were carefully planned down to the architectural and
maintenance details. These years shortly before World War II
were the golden ones in Bandung and those alluded to today as Bandung
Tempoe Doeloe.
The
war years did little to change the city of Bandung, but in 1946,
facing the return of the Colonial Dutch to Indonesia, citizens
chose to burn down their beloved Bandung in what has become
known as Bandung Lautan Api, Bandung Ocean of Fire.
Citizens fled to the southern hills and overlooking the
"ocean of flames" penned "Halo Halo
Bandung," the anthem promising their return.
Political unrest colored the early years of Independence and
consequently people flocked to Bandung where safety was. The
population skyrocketed from 230,000 in 1940 to 1 million by
1961. Economic prosperity following the oil boom in the 70's
pushed this further so that by 1990 there were 2 million
inhabitants.
Present
day Bandung is thriving. As home to more than 35 schools of
higher education, there is a vibrant collegiate atmosphere. The excellent fine arts
offerings have produced an artist colony of great repute and
excitement. The textile industry is the largest in the country
and contributes to a vigorous business climate.
In
1987 the city extended its administrative boundaries toward a Greater
Bandung Plan (Bandung Raya) Plans for the city include
higher concentrations of development outside the current city
centre, in an attempt to dilute some of the population density
in the old core. These days Bandung Raya is still years
ahead, yet the land has suffered deeply. Commercial activities
run amok, God only knows who can take control. The city core
is practically uprooted, old faces are torn down, lot sizes
regrouped, and what was idyllic residence is now bustling
chain supermarkets and rich banks.
