Blok M: Revitalizing Jakarta’s Iconic Youth Hub

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – On a sunny Monday afternoon, September 14, 2026, Siti and Liza were seen relaxing with their friends at Martha Christina Tiahahu Literacy Park, a public park in Jakarta’s South Jakarta district of Blok M. Sitting on the grass, they rested on the sloping side of a circular structure built to house a library and commercial tenants.

"I personally think Blok M is a pretty good place to hang out. People coming home from work or university can hang out here. And there are plenty of food options too, from viral food spots to more common ones,” Siti said.

Meanwhile, Liza highlighted how easily Blok M can be reached by public transportation. "We have easy access to public transportation here as well. It’s close to both the MRT (metro train MRT Jakarta) and TransJakarta (bus rapid transit), which makes it really convenient,” she said.

Siti and Liza were among thousands of people visiting Blok M that day. Most of them were young people, who came to eat, shop, or simply spend time with friends while enjoying the urban atmosphere.

Built as part of the development of Kebayoran Baru in the 1950s, Blok M was designed as a new commercial center. It became well known in the late 20th century, when shopping centers were built and attracted young people, as well as Japanese expatriates who helped create an area known as “Little Tokyo.”

But Blok M declined in popularity for decades following the 1998 financial crisis, as reflected in its surrounding facilities, which gradually became less attractive. Now, however, public transport operator MRT Jakarta appears determined to change that.

The Jakarta provincial government-owned company is developing a placemaking concept as part of its transit-oriented development (TOD) around its stations, including Blok M BCA Station in the Blok M area. Under this concept, an area is designed and managed as a “third place” — a meaningful and inclusive space that brings together different communities and allows people to express themselves outside their homes and workplaces or schools.

"The key to placemaking is actually the sense of place. A place should have meaning or a theme and should be inclusive, so that it can be enjoyed by everyone. It shouldn’t be limited to a particular group, whether the upper-middle class or the lower-middle class," Division Head of Business Planning and Expansion at MRT Jakarta, R. Samuel Ryan Pradipta Pranowo, said during a session of the MRT Jakarta Fellowship Program 2026 on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

As one of the TOD areas designated by the Jakarta provincial government, Blok M is being developed as an urban youth hub, where young people can express themselves while also offering a sense of nostalgia for older generations who enjoyed the area during its heyday. The area is also being revitalized through various activities, ranging from events to brand activations.

"For example, we recently held Jakarta Sneakers Day (JSD) Blok M Festival in collaboration with JSD. The enthusiasm was incredible, and there were all kinds of activities," Samuel said, citing an event held from July to August 2026 as an example of the collaborative concept.

MRT Jakarta has also been entrusted with developing Martha Christina Tiahahu Literacy Park and Blok M Hub, a former shopping mall transformed into a center for food and activities. Data received by the media organization showed that Blok M Hub now attracts 40,000 visitors on weekdays and 70,000 visitors on weekends, with more than 200 occupied tenants.

"The hope is that placemaking can make the city come alive again — a liveable city, but not just a city that is liveable or comfortable to live in. It should also be lovable, meaning that we have an engagement with the city and feel happy living in Jakarta, especially near these areas, because we feel that there is something that draws us there," he said.