RRI.CO.ID, Yogyakarta - Researchers from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) have unveiled a groundbreaking study that redefines Indonesia’s "Chinatowns" not merely as historical relics, but as dynamic instruments of modern global city strategy.

The study, titled “Chinatown Today: Ethnicity Within a Globalized City in Indonesia,” argues that ethnic identity in urban centers like Jakarta, Bogor, and Bandung is being strategically reconstructed to foster both economic creativity and social inclusivity.

The research team, comprised of Ju Lan Thung, Tine Suartina, and Paulus Rudolf Yuniarto from BRIN’s Research Center for Area Studies, explored the phenomenon of "ethnic re-branding." Their analysis focused on four critical pillars: the unique characteristics of Chinatowns, urban dynamics, government policy direction, and the shifting nature of ethnic identity.

The findings suggest that in the modern era, the physical boundaries of these districts are being recontextualized through a complex interaction between top-down government mandates and bottom-up social adaptation.

A primary highlight of the research is the application of "storynomics" in urban tourism innovation.

In Jakarta’s Glodok district, BRIN researchers observed a shift from a strictly commercial hub to a re-engineered cultural space integrated with the historical narrative of the Old Town (Kota Tua). This innovation transforms public perception, turning a trading district into a narrative-based destination that invites inclusive participation.

In Bogor, the research highlighted how public policy has revitalized the "Chinese face" of the Suryakencana corridor as a regional economic asset. Meanwhile, in Bandung, the team found a more fluid pattern where Chinatown identity is dispersed, prioritizing cross-ethnic economic activity and tolerance over rigid geographical separation.

Ju Lan Thung, a researcher from BRIN’s Research Center for Society and Culture, explained that the transformation of these districts in major cities manifests ethnic adaptation amid the dynamic currents of global urban development. She noted that today’s Chinatowns are the product of a long negotiation between cultural identity and the demands of urban modernity.

"Chinatown today is not merely a static ethnic settlement, but a space where ethnicity is reconstructed through urban policy to meet the challenges of globalization. The visual identity emerging in these areas is the result of a negotiation between historical memory and modern creative economic needs," Ju Lan Thung stated on Tuesday, March 3, as quoted on BRIN's official website.

Adding to this perspective, Tine Suartina, also from BRIN’s Research Center for Society and Culture, emphasized that this transformation reflects a reciprocal influence between ethnic Chinese groups and city administration within the public sphere.

"This process shows that ethnicity now functions as both a symbolic and economic asset. However, the greatest challenge is ensuring that labeling an area as 'Chinatown' does not get trapped in mere cultural commodification, but remains an inclusive living space for social interaction between residents of various backgrounds," Tine explained.

From an academic standpoint, the BRIN study provides a sophisticated sociological and anthropological map of ethnicity-based development. The researchers analyzed the potential risks of "voluntary segregation" if the branding of these districts focuses solely on commercial and aesthetic aspects without deep consideration for social cohesion between different community groups.

Practically, the research offers vital recommendations for urban planners to balance infrastructure modernization with the preservation of inclusive cultural spaces. This study reinforces BRIN's role in providing scientific databases to support evidence-based policy for sustainable urban development in Indonesia. ***

https://www.brin.go.id/news/127064/bukan-sekadar-sejarah-brin-bedah-wajah-baru-pecinan-sebagai-simbol-modernitas-dan-toleransi-urban