DDW24: Kampung Kollektief

Through the What If Lab program, Kampung Kollektief is partnering with communities in Jakarta’s Kampung Susun Kunir and Rotterdam’s Tarwewijk to challenge conventional ideas of public space ownership and use. Both neighborhoods, shaped by their port histories, face unique social and economic challenges. In Jakarta, dense kampung settlements thrive on strong communal bonds but lack formal public spaces, while in Rotterdam, public spaces are regulated and often underused.

During the start of this lab, the designers of Kampug Kollektief held co-creation sessions with the community of Kampung Susan Kunir. This led to “Rujak Plaza,” a modular system to reinforce the temporary public spaces that exist throughout the kampung and to commemorate the sharing of the fruit salad “Rujak” within the community. This allowed them to reclaim paved roads and plant their beloved fruit trees. This simple but effective solution temporarily restores the greenery that once flourished in their kampung and emphasizes the community’s right to their space.

From Rujak Plaza to Tarwetuin

This year, the project is expanding to Rotterdam, where the planters are being used to explore which paved areas can be transformed into green, communal spaces. In Rotterdam, the new concept of “Tarwetuin” challenges the idea that public gathering places are nuisances, and instead fosters community connections.

By involving residents in the co-creation of their public spaces, this initiative fosters emotional connection and ownership, and empowers underserved communities to shape their neighborhoods for a sustainable and inclusive future.