Semarang (Javanese:ꦏꦸꦛꦯꦼꦩꦫꦁ,Kutha Semarang) is the capital and largest city ofCentral Java province inIndonesia. It was a major port during theDutchcolonial era, and is still an important regional center and port today. The city has been named as the cleanest tourist destination in Southeast Asia by the ASEAN CleanTourist City Standard (ACTCS) for 2020–2022.[6]
It has an area of 373.78 km2 (144.32 sq mi) and had a population of 1,555,984 at the 2010 census[7] and 1,653,524 at the 2020 census,[8] making it Indonesia's ninth most populous city[9] afterJakarta,Surabaya,Bekasi,Bandung,Medan,Depok,Tangerang andPalembang; the official population estimate as at mid-2023 was 1,694,740, comprising 838,440 males and 856,310 females.[1] The built-upurban area had 3,183,516 inhabitants at the 2010 census spread over two cities and 26 districts.[10] TheSemarang metropolitan area (a.k.a.Kedungsepur) has a population of over 6 million in 2020 (see Greater Semarang section). The population of the city is predominantlyJavanese with significantChinese presence.
The history of Semarang goes back to the 9th century, when it was known as Bergota. At the end of the 15th century, the Demak Sultanate appointed an Islamic scholar namedKi Ageng Pandan Arang [id] to build an Islamic school in this fishing village. On 2 May 1547,Sultan Hadiwijaya ofPajang declared Pandan Arang as the first bupati (mayor) of Semarang, thus creating Semarang administratively and politically.
In 1678, SunanAmangkurat II promised to give control of Semarang to theDutch East India Company (VOC) as a part of a debt payment.[11][12] In 1682, the Semarang state was founded by the Dutch colonial power. On 5 October 1705 after years of occupations, Semarang officially became a VOC city when SusuhunanPakubuwono I made a deal to give extensive trade rights to the VOC in exchange of wiping outMataram's debt. The VOC, and later, theDutch East Indies government, establishedtobacco plantations in the region and built roads and railroads, making Semarang an important colonial trading centre.[citation needed]
The historic presence of a large Indo (Eurasian) community in the area of Semarang is also reflected by the fact a creole mix language calledJavindo existed there.[13]
Classical Indische Town (1678–1870)
The early VOC settlement of Semarang with its prominent pentagonal fortress.
Semarang was handed by theSultan of Mataram to the Dutch East Indies in 1678.[11] The city was pictured as a small settlement with a pious Muslim area calledKauman, a Chinese quarter, and a Dutch fortress. The fortress has a pentagonal form with only one gate in the south and five monitoring towers to protect the Dutch settlement from rebellion actions, segregating the spaces between Dutch settlement and other areas.[14] In fact, the city of Semarang was only referred to the Dutch quarter while the other ethnic settlement were considered as villages outside the city boundary. The city, known as de Europeesche Buurt, was built in classical European style with church located in the centre, wide boulevards, streets and villas.[15] According to Purwanto (2005),[16] the urban and architectural form of this settlement is very similar to the design principles applied in many Dutch cities.
Due to the long and costly Java War, there was not much funding from the Dutch East Indies government, and this affected Semarang's development. Most land in the area was used for rice cultivation and the only small improvement was the development of a surrounding fortress. Although less developed, Semarang is a fairly well organized city, in which urban activities were concentrated along the river and the settlement is linked to a market where different ethnic groups met to trade. The existence of the market, in the later years, become a primary element and a generator of urban economic growth.[17]
After the departure ofHerman Willem Daendels, Napoleonic governor of Java, the Dutch reorganized Java intoResidencies, and Semarang became the seat of the newSemarang Residency in 1817. An important influence on urban growth was the Great Mail Road project in the 1847, which connected all the cities in the northern coast of Central and East Java and positioned Semarang as the trade centre of agricultural production.[18] The project was soon followed by the development of theStaatsspoorwegen Railway and the connecting roads into the inner city of Semarang at the end of the 19th century.[17] Colombijn (2002)[18] marked the development as the shift of urban functions, from the former river orientation to all services facing the roads.
Modern city (1870–1922)
Coat of Arms of Semarang during Dutch colonial era, granted in 1827.
TheDutch East Indies' mail and railway projects improved communication and transportation, bringing an economic boom to the city in the 1870s. Hospitals, churches, hotels, and mansions were built along the new main roads of Mataram Street, Bojongscheweg, and Pontjolscheweg.[15] The Javanese quarters of town known askampongs grew increasingly densely populated, reaching as many as 1000 inhabitants perhectare and degrading living conditions.[19] Mortality remained high into the early 20th century, with newcomers, overcrowding, and poor hygiene triggeringcholera andtuberculous outbreaks.[20]Dysentery,typhoid, andmalaria were also rife.[21] The city doctorWillem T. de Vogel advocated strenuously for reducing overcrowding and improving living conditions by extending Semarang into the less malarial hill country to its south;[22] his fellow councilmanHendrik Tillema had campaigned on a platform of combatting malaria and joined De Vogel's scheme, broadening it into a "village improvement" (Dutch:kampongverbetering) movement.[19] Purchasing land in the heights with their own money, the two men and some friends passed it on to the city with an initial zoning plan byKPC de Bazel in 1907 but could never convince a majority of the council to support its development.[21][22] Changing tack, Tillema then worked to improve the existing kampongs in the city's malarial districts by improving drainage and providing more sanitary public toilets and public housing.[19]
A decade later, the town approvedThomas Karsten's revised plan for the area, using it to build larger villas for the Dutch and wealthy Chinese and Javanese rather than allowing its use by the poor.[21][22][23] This area became known as Candi Baru (Dutch:Nieuw Tjandi) and forms the core of the present-day Candisari District. Although it remained highly stratified by class,[15] Candi Baru had less ethnic segregation than the older area of town and incorporated public squares, athletic facilities, and places for public bathing and washing that could be used communally.[24] With most work remaining in the lower city and transportation slow or expensive, few of the lower classes were interested in moving to the district[22] but it set a pattern that was followed with three more successful housing plans between 1916 and 1919. The population grew by 55%, adding 45,000 Javanese, 8500 Chinese, and 7000 Europeans. Karsten's approach to town planning emphasized its aesthetic, practical, and social requirements articulated in economic terms rather than purely racial ones.[24]
Driven by economic growth and spatial city planning, the city had doubled in size and expanded to the south by the 1920s, creating a nucleus of a metropolis where multi-ethnic groups lived and traded in the city. The villages in the suburbs such as Jomblang and Jatingaleh steadily became the satellite towns of Semarang, more populated with a bigger market area. Before the invasion of Japan in 1942, Semarang had already become the capital ofCentral Java province, as the result of trade and industrial success and spatial planning.[15]
TheJapanese military occupied the city, along with the rest of Java, in 1942, during thePacific War ofWorld War II. During that time, Semarang was headed by a military governor called a Shiko, and two vice governors known as Fuku Shiko. One of the vice governors was appointed fromJapan, and the other was "chosen" from the local population.[citation needed]
It also became the site of abattle (Five days battle,Pertempuran lima hari) between the new Indonesian military and Japanese soldiers in October 1945.[27] Shortly after that, what had been the Indonesia-conductedAmbarawa,Magelang, andUngaran offensives reached Semarang city on 15 December 1945, causing an 87-day battle that swept away theBritish andDutch military completely.
Administration
Semarang city administration is headed by mayor, with a legislative assembly. Both mayor and the 50 members oflegislative assembly are elected by direct vote. The government of Semarang City had implemented the smart city concept since 2013.[28][29]
Juridically, Semarang City is a municipality (second level area) consisting of 16districts (kecamatan), which are again divided into 177urban villages (kelurahan). The districts are tabulated below with their areas and their populations at the 2010 census[7] and 2020 census,[8] together with the official estimates as at mid 2023.[1] The table also includes the number and names of the urbanadministrative villages in each district.
Gemah, Kalicari, Muktiharjo Kidul, Palebon, Pedurungan Kidul, Pedurungan Lor, Pedurungan Tengah, Penggaron Kidul, Plamongan Sari, Tlogomulyo, Tlogosari Kulon, Tlogosari Wetan,
Bangetayu Kulon, Bangetayu Wetan, Banjardowo, Gebangsari, Genuksari, Karangroto, Kudu, Muktiharjo Lor, Penggaron Lor, Sembungharjo, Terboyo Kulon, Terboyo Wetan, Trimulyo
Semarang is located on the northerncoast of Java. The city of Semarang is one of the most important cities located on the north coast of Java and is the main hub connectingJakarta andSurabaya, and cities in the southern interior of JavaSurakarta andYogyakarta. Semarang City has a height ranging from 2 m (6.6 ft) below sea level up to 340 m (1,120 ft) above sea level with a slope of 0%–45%. Semarang City is a city that has a unique topographic condition in the form of a narrow lowland area and hilly areas extending from the west side to the east side of Semarang City. The city is located about 558 km (347 miles) east of Jakarta and 312 km (194 miles) west of Surabaya.
Lowland areas in Semarang City are very narrow. The lowland area in western Semarang only has a width of 4 km (2.5 miles) from the coastline, while in the eastern Semarang, the low-lying area has a width of 11 km (6.8 miles) from the coastline. This lowland area is a flood plain from the large rivers that flow in Semarang City, such as Kali Garang (West Flood Canal), Pengkol River, and Bringin River. This low-lying area stretches on the northern side of Semarang and covers almost 40% of the total area of Semarang. This lowland area is known as the lower town (Semarang Ngisor), as well as the center of the city's economic activity. Under these conditions, the lower city area is often hit by annual flooding and its peak during the rainy season. In a number of regions, especially North Semarang, floods are sometimes also caused by overflowing sea tides (tidal floods). The hilly area in Semarang stretches on the south side. These hills are part of a series of northern Java mountain ranges that stretch from Banten to East Java. The hilly area in the city of Semarang is known as the upper city (Semarang Dhuwur). This hilly region is also the upstream area of the big rivers that flow in the city of Semarang. The upper city area is also nearMount Ungaran.
Climate
Semarang features atropical monsoon climate (Köppen:Am). The city celebrates Christmas and New Year in summer (due to the location in Southern Hemisphere), however summer months (December to February) are the rainiest, coldest and wettest months. The city features distinctly wetter and drier months, with winter (June through August) being the driest months and hotter than summer. Spring and autumn are the transitions between wet and dry seasons and hotter than both summer and winter. However, the average monthly rainfall does not fall below 60 mm (2.4 in), hence the tropical rainforest categorization. Semarang on average sees approximately 2,800 mm (110 in) of rain annually. Average temperatures in the city are relatively consistent, hovering around 28 °C (82 °F).Diurnal temperature variation slightly increases in the dry season.
Source 2: Weather Atlas[31] and Time and Date[32] (humidity only)
Semarang River and flood control
Like Singapore River, Semarang is constructing Semarang River at Banjir Kanal Barat (Garang River) near Karangayu Bridge. In the middle of July 2011, gardens in river banks and some traditional boats are available to use. The project will be finished in 2013 with river gardens, trotoars, garden lighting, water activities, art sites, sport sites and balconies and stairs for sightseeing.[33]In August 2011, a 421 m (1,380 ft) tunnel dodger at Kreo river has been finished and Jatibarang Dam construction can begin, with completion targeted for July 2013. The dam is planned to release 230 m3/s (8,100 cu ft/s) of flood water and will generate 1.5 MW of electricity, provide a drinking water resource and a boost to tourism.[34]
Semarang has a large Chinese community. As in other regions of Java, especially in Central Java, they have mingled closely with the local population and use Javanese in communication for hundreds of years. About 3.5% of the city's population is ethnic Chinese, many residing in aChinatown in the vicinity of Gang Pinggir. The Chinatown is called "Kampong Pecinan Semawis" and expresses many aspects of traditional Chinese culture including foods, rituals, and houses of worship.
As the capital city of Central Java, and fifth largest city of Indonesia, the economy of Semarang is quite large. Semarang has transformed and changed dynamically towards a better direction. In a period of less than 10 years, Semarang Metropolitan continues to build a vital financial contribution to Indonesia due to the growing trade and industry and services. As a consequence, people's purchasing power increased, capital inflows, consumer confidence, and doing business indexes were relatively conducive to the development of severalCBDs such asSimpang Lima City Center (SLCC),Pemuda Central Business District (PCBD), andGajahmada Golden Triangle (GGT). Major Indonesian and international financial and banking sectors alikes such asBank Mandiri,BCA,BNI,BRI,Panin Bank,HSBC,Bank Permata,Standard Chartered,RaboBank, Citibank,DBS, UOB,OCBC NISP,KEB Hana Bank,CIMB Niaga, andMaybank have regional offices in Semarang.
The western part of the city has many industrial parks and factories. Like other metropolitan cities within Indonesia, due to a developing economy and increasing income, Semarang has many shopping malls.
Semarang's largest bus terminals are Mangkang and Terboyo.[40] The primary means of public transportation is by minibus, called "bis".Ojek (motorcycle taxis),Angkot (share-taxi) micro-buses, taxi-cabs plays vital role in public transportation of the city.Go-Jek andGrab have online taxi andOjek services.
Semarang is served bybus rapid transit calledTrans Semarang, which operates in six routes.[41]Perum DAMRI also serves in six designated routes in the city.
Semarang'sAhmad Yani International Airport is served by a number of operators.[43] In 2018, the airport terminal was relocated to a new and much larger site; the old terminal continues to be used for government and military flights.[44]
Sam Poo Kong, the oldest Chinese temple in the city.
Semarang old town (Kota Lama), which is sometimes referred to by locals as "Little Netherlands." It was established in the 18th century when Indonesia was a Dutch colony. There are more than 50 well-maintained colonial buildings in Kota Lama, displaying 18th, 19th, and 20th century European-influenced architecture.[45]
China Town:Chinatown in Semarang has a night market known as 'Pasar Semawis', which is known for its cuisine and Chinese new year celebration.[46]
Tugu Muda (Youth Monument) is a monument built to commemorate the services of the heroes who have fallen in theBattle of Five Days in Semarang. The height of Tugu Muda is 53 meters. Tugu Muda is located in front ofLawang Sewu at Pemuda street. It depicts the Tugu Muda fighting spirit and patriotism of Semarang residents, especially the youth who are persistent, self-sacrificing in high spirits maintaining the independence of Indonesia.[47]
Blenduk Church (Nederlandsch Indische Kerk) was built in 1753, the church is one of the oldest building in Kota Lama.
TheSam Poo Kong temple is the oldest Chinese temple in the city.[48]Tay Kak Sie Temple was established in 1746, it is dedicated toGuanyin Bodhisattva and various Taoist Deities.
Central Java Grand Mosque: This mosque has a Muslim museum, located at Jl. Gajah Raya. The architecture of the mosque is inspired by the mosques in Mecca and Medina.[49]
Vihara Buddhagaya Watugong: The 45 m (148 ft) Buddhist temple has been named by MURI as the highest pagoda in Indonesia. It's located at Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan Watugong, about 45 minutes drive from the center.
Pancasila Square: Located within the heart of Simpang Lima City Center (SLCC) CBD; is an infamous public arena at the town center. It has tourist pedicabs, cars, bicycles, chairs, pedestrian track, public toilet, roller skates, traditional games, grass field and others.
Culture
Semarang (?) batik made prior to 1867, in the workshop owned by batik pioneer Carolina Josephina von Franquemont (1817–1867). Photo courtesy of the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles,Bangkok
There are 593 elementary schools, 220 junior high schools, 106 senior high schools, and 88 vocational high schools, both public and private in Semarang.[50]
There are 20 universities in Semarang, 12 of them private and 8 public. The most renowned universities of Semarang areDiponegoro University andSoegijapranata University.
Diponegoro University (UNDIP): It is one of national orstate-owned universities in Semarang, founded in 1957. The university has 11 faculties and 2 schools: Faculty of Economics and Business, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Fishery and Marine Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Faculty of Public Health, Faculty of Animal Agriculture, Faculty of Psychology, Vocational School, and Postgraduate School. The university also offers a postgraduate program. Diponegoro University is one of the best universities in Indonesia.[51]
Semarang State University inIndonesian Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES): It is one of national orstate-owned universities in Semarang, founded in 1965. The university has 8 faculties and Postgraduate School: Faculty of Science Education, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Language and Art, Faculty of Sport Science, Faculty of Social Science, Faculty of Economics, Faculty of Law, and Faculty of mathematics and science.Semarang State University is one of the best university in Indonesia.
Soegijapranata Catholic University (UNIKA): It is one of theprivate universities in Semarang, founded in 1982. There are 8 faculties in UNIKA: Faculty of Architecture and Design, Faculty of Law and Communication, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Language and Arts, Faculty of Economics and Business, Faculty of Agricultural and Technology, Faculty of Psychology, and Faculty of Computer Science.
Muhammadiyah University of Semarang (UNIMUS): It is one of theprivate universities in Semarang, founded in 1996. On 4 August 1999 the Minister of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia issued an Operational Permit for the University of Muhammadiyah Semarang with number: 139/D/O/1999. 14 study programs that obtained operational permits at the beginning of the opening in 1999 including: Public Health Study Program (Bachelor's degree), Statistics Study Program (Bachelor's degree), MechanicalEngineering Study Program (Bachelor and Diploma degree), Electrical Engineering Study Program (Bachelor and Diploma degree), Food Technology Study Program (Bachelor's degree), Agricultural Technology Study Program (Bachelor's degree), Management Study Program (Bachelor's degree), Company Administration Study Program (Diploma degree), Accounting Study Program (Diploma degree), English Language Study Program (Bachelor's degree), English Language Study Program (Diploma degree) and Japanese Language Study Program (Diploma degree).
There are several sport centres in Semarang. Jatidiri sport centre orJatidiri Stadium is one of the biggest sport centres in Semarang, located in Karangrejo, Gajahmungkur. The centre comprises a soccer field, in line skate track, tennis filed, climbing wall, swimming pool, and many others. The capacity of the centre is about 21,000 people.[53]
Knight Stadium is a futsal and basketball centre in Semarang, located in Grand Marina complex. There is a café and fitness centre in Knight Stadium.[54]
Semarang is widely known for itsbandeng presto (pressure-cooked milkfish),Lumpia,Wingko,Tahu Gimbal, andGanjel Rel. Semarang has also been called 'The city of Jamu' because it is an important centre for the production ofjamu which are a range of Indonesian herbal medicines that are popular across Indonesia[55] Semawis Market, also known as Pecinan Semarang (Semarang's Chinatown), hosts a plethora of street food vendors, offering a wide varieties of dishes.[56]
Festivals
Dugderan [id] is an annual festival in Semarang designated to welcome the Ramadan month (a fasting month for Moslems). The word "dug" describes the sound of bedug (traditional Indonesian musical instrument). The word "der" describes the sound of fireworks.
The icon of the festival is a special puppet dragon-like animal called Warak Ngendog. The word "warak" stands for "holy" and the word "ngendog" expresses a reward for Muslims. Warak Ngendog's feet are chained, representing people's desire that should be postponed during this holy month. As Dugderan is a festival unique for Semarang, it represents an important attraction for both local people and visitors.[57]
Media
Suara Merdeka is the major local newspaper in Semarang, as well as Central Java. Other major newspapers includeTribun Jateng andWawasan.
Awards
Semarang has received the Adipura Award 6 times in a row since 2012. The Adipura Award is given for achievement in cleanliness and greenery at parks, streets, markets, shop buildings, premises, schools, even cleanliness of water ways and rivers.[58] Semarang City received the title of Best Smart Living and Best Smart Economy City in the Indonesia Smart Nation Award 2018.[59]
Greater Semarang
Greater Semarang (known asKedungsepur) was initially defined by the government as Semarang city,Semarang Regency,Salatiga city,Kendal Regency, andDemak Regency.[60] It was later extended to include the western part (12 districts only) ofGrobogan Regency. Despite the definition, rural and urban cores remain distinct and have not amalgamated into a continuous urban sprawl as is the case inGreater Jakarta.
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^Winckel, Charles Willem Frederik (19 March 1955),"Personalia: In Memoriam Dr. W. Th. de Vogel"(PDF),Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde, vol. 99, no. 12, pp. 899–900,archived(PDF) from the original on 6 May 2022, retrieved7 May 2022. (Dutch)
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