TEDxJakarta - Ridwan Kamil - Creativity and Design for Social Change in Cities

00:09

(Moslem greeting) May God's blessings be upon you. Warm greetings to all of you. Good afternoon.

00:14

Excuse me, usually I have a pretty powerful voice. Now, it's a little bit...

00:18

...throaty. Not feeling too well. That's why health is important.

00:23

So... that's why I was...

00:25

(audience laughter)

00:26

... being preached. But thank God, my pants size is 34. Still under 35.

00:31

(audience laughter)

00:33

Still counted as a healthy man.

00:34

Okay, I was very inspired by all the speakers this afternoon. Amazing.

00:40

I also want to present a concept that... everyone here can do.

00:47

Basically everyone has creativity.

00:49

That's what I want to build upon, to cheer. And I want to say...

00:52

The future of Indonesia can only be saved by it's people.

00:57

By Mr. Nurul, by Mr. Ade Rai, and the rest of the speakers.

01:00

And because of that, my efforts has been to focus on creativity and people.

01:08

A little bit about me. I have quite an overflow of energy.

01:12

Besides an architect, I also teach in ITB ("Indonesia's MIT" in Bandung) a lecturer as well.

01:16

I also design cities. There's been about 50 cities outside of Indonesia I've helped with.

01:23

Then, I became active in something called Bandung Creativity Forum.

01:27

So, I organize creative communities

01:30

... in Bandung to do something.

01:34

"Urban Play" by the previous speaker was amazing, maybe we can collaborate in the future.

01:40

Other stuff, you probably can read.

01:43

I, thank God, have won more than 15 competitions.

01:50

And the rest. Maybe too...

01:53

Look here, I also like photography. This is a photo I took.

01:56

If I say this was in Switzerland, everyone would believe.

01:59

This is in Pangalengan, in Bandung.

02:02

Before dawn I rode my bike. Then shot that fog in the village.

02:06

So, I've traveled to more than 90 cities around the world.

02:09

... througout my life. Thank God.

02:11

But Indonesia is the most beautiful.

02:16

(audience claps)

02:16

Not because I'm promoting tourism for the government but I compare

02:19

If you take landscape photos in Indonesia, there's so many variety.

02:22

Try googling "Raja Ampat" in Irian Jaya. that's the best spot now.

02:28

This one is in Bandung as well, there's a lake called "Kawah Putih", and such.

02:32

My point is that, we're rich in culture, as well as city landscape.

02:37

Plus a model, so it's not too stressful.

02:40

(audience laughter)

02:41

This is Banjarmasin, incredible. People might think only Bangkok has such water culture.

02:45

but in Balikpapan, sorry... in Banjarmasin too. Most people don't know.

02:50

But, this.. here.

02:53

The future of our civilization lies in the cities.

02:57

So if we mismanage cities civilization would crumble.

03:02

In 2025, 60% of world population will live in cities.

03:05

So it's just a matter of time, everyone will move closer to the cities.

03:08

If cities don't anticipate this, can't manage itself.

03:13

What will be is that, our lives becomes unproductive.

03:15

Floods, never having breakfast with your family,

03:18

Never having dinner with your wife. Waiting for "3 in 1" (Jakarta's traffic congestion control system), etc.

03:22

60% of Jakartans, go to malls for leisure.

03:25

Not in Menteng park or other parks.

03:27

So, something's wrong, a stressful city will give birth to a stressful generation.

03:34

(audience laughter)

03:36

I'm tired so to speak.. Watching TV here, this channel, that channel.

03:42

How can I educate my children, so that they're proud of Indonesia.

03:48

So when they're smart, they won't leave Indonesia.

03:50

But if everyday we're bombarded by things that don't matter.

03:54

When will inspirational stories air on TV?

03:57

All the news are about... the oppressor. The opposite of the leader.

04:10

Meanwhile, our friends, this is a photo I took as well...

04:15

...on one photography session, have done extraordinary things.

04:21

Irfan, Irwan, Berry, Ade. Dr. Nurul..

04:25

Extraordinary people, who inspires, who do something.

04:30

.. have goals, have outstanding achievents, but goes unnoticed.

04:33

This to me, is unfair. So I want to.

04:35

Let's together do something, so all of Indonesia feels optimistic.

04:40

That the future is in the hands of our generation.

04:44

This is an example, my former graduate student, "Fractal Batik".

04:48

Won the highest award from UNESCO.

04:52

He's an architecture major, met someone doing mathematics used fractal formulas to count patterns in a computer.

04:56

Met someone studying economics from UNPAD, they talked and came up with a big idea.

05:02

I believe, this is something we need to train in as well.

05:06

Nano Gank meets Bandung Creative Gank for example

05:09

... or in Jakarta, would definitely produce something extraordinary.

05:14

This is the same as well.

05:17

So, this is the differentiating factor, "Innovation".

05:22

We're not followers, we have to be the trendsetters. We have to be the winner, we have to be the leader.

05:31

This too is sustainable, used wood. Ini juga sustainable kayu bekas dan seterusnya.

05:34

From Temanggung. Dari Temanggung.

05:39

Now, I am an architect. Nah, sisi saya sendiri adalah arsitek.

05:42

So that's where I'll mostly create my achievements. Sebagian akan mencoba menciptakan achievement saya disitu.

05:48

And true enough, I can, thank God, live off of my imagination. Dan betul ya...

05:53

I imagine, and get payed. Thank God...

05:57

Because the most enjoyable work in the whole world is.

06:01

A payed hobby. More or less so.

06:05

This is my house, from bottles. 30,000 Kratingdaeng bottles.

06:13

If you don't believe me, you can count them yourself to be 30,000.

06:18

That was trash, because the company don't use them for refilling. So they just became waste.

06:23

I collected them for 6 months, through a contractor... ...garbage pickup woker in the entire West Java.

06:29

Took me 2 years to build it.

06:31

And thank God, this one got featured in a lot of foreign magazines.

06:36

Won last year's Asia Green Award.

06:40

Because this house is very healthy. So the sun's heat..

06:43

.. is blocked but the light comes through. More or less so.

06:48

One of my motivation was, I got annoyed to hear my hometown...

06:50

...gets the bad nickname "Bandung ocean of trash".

06:55

I said that's because the people aren't creative, ...aren't willing.

06:59

So they can't turn garbage into something useful.

07:02

Since I'm an architect, I gather stuff to build my own house.

07:09

This, a mosque in the New City of Parahyangan.

07:12

I want to proof that,

07:14

My time must give birth to something inspirative as well.

07:20

Not just "cut and paste" from the previous generation right.

07:22

They say if in Central Java, it must be 'Joglo' style.

07:24

I said, "that's a legacy from architects of antiquity."

07:28

We don't have to copy it till the end of time.

07:30

I'm from the present generation, but still respect values.

07:35

So it's not the appearance that's copied. But.. ...the tradition, the values, is what we preserve.

07:39

I don't believe...

07:42

... just copying previous generation's inheritance. Without being critical.

07:48

This is the Tsunami museum in Aceh. Thank God we will do something with the interior.

07:54

I designed a concept of an evacuation hill.

07:56

So if there's another tsunami, people can escape to this hill I created.

08:00

Then I don't want people to just be sad about the tsunami.

08:06

So it's more about a Learning Center, there's a space where children can learn about Tsunami

08:11

.. there's a school there, a library.

08:14

So we have to turn that tragedy into a source of learning.

08:18

Not for me, but for the children and grandchildren of the Acehnese.

08:23

This one is in Jakarta, in Senayan. I designed a sports building.

08:28

Guess what's the inspiration?

08:31

From Ade's muscles.

08:34

(audience laughter)

08:39

Seriously.

08:41

(audience laughter)

08:42

The origin was a request, "Please design a sports building that visualize sports!"

08:46

I asked myself, what's the idea? I said, "must be dynamic.. movement."

08:51

.. sports are dynamic right.. and there must be strength..

08:53

When the word "strength" comes to mind.

08:54

I googled for sources of inspiration.

08:57

What came up...

09:00

And this will eventually get built, God wiling.

09:02

Next year construction will start.

09:06

(audience claps)

09:07

This, I won a competition as well. One of the 15 I won.

09:13

Originally Jakarta Stock Exchange was to be moved. I designed a building for them.

09:17

When I design, I have to tell a story.. storytelling.

09:21

That's my architecture.

09:23

So, this is a bundled up coins.

09:26

Like change you prepare for parking.

09:28

So, drawing wealth, that's the symbol of the finance industry. More or less so.

09:32

And green, so when stock prices goes up People would slide on the green.

09:36

When prices go down, suicide from the topmost floor.

09:39

(audience laughter)

09:40

Everything I've prepared for.

09:42

(audience cheers and claps)

09:47

This, in Thailand, eventhough I'm in Bandung. 30% of my work is abroad.

09:52

Thank God.. this shows that the times call us to "seize the opportunity".

09:56

That's how I was being underestimated in the US.

10:01

5-7 years I don't talk much there. I worked hard.

10:05

.. and eventually proofed myself. If you work hard, focused.

10:08

You will be appreciated by society.

10:10

So, don't talk much, when you're not doing much. That's pretty much my philosophy.

10:17

All of this is done in Bandung.

10:19

Most enjoyable is when we live where we're born.

10:21

But have projects everywhere, that's the ultimate.

10:25

Indonesian people abroad aren't always the best and brightest.

10:28

But they often don't have any choice.

10:30

Because if they come home, they don't get payed much.

10:32

So they end up staying in the US and so on.

10:35

Thank God I have a choice, living where I was born.

10:38

... while doing global projects.

10:42

One time, there's an elderly lady who said this, in a small neighborhood.

10:49

She knows I'm into Bandung's creative sector.

10:51

"I wonder why sir, the creativity is just for people like yourself?"

10:56

Creativity is not of much use, if it doesn't solve our problems."

11:01

That, that sentence touched me deeply. That all this time, I maybe busily creating.

11:07

But for myself or my own creative community.

11:11

So I changed my perception, that creativity must effect positive change

11:16

.. in society.

11:17

What use are high technology, Rocket science..

11:21

When in Indonesia, slums still exist. The poor can't eat for three days.

11:26

So I finally changed that.

11:30

And I belive the theory that the future lies in the cities. So I focus in my own city.

11:38

The key is this, I stated a principle. That... Kuncinya adalah ini, saya memberikan sebuah tujuan. Bahwa..

11:44

...our asset in Bandung mainly is, creativity.

11:48

Only creativity will save the future of the city.

11:51

So I focus on human resources. And don't forget.

11:54

We collaborate. The weakness of creatives are.

11:58

They're smart here and there, but can never gather.

12:01

So that's my feedback for friends in Jakarta too.

12:04

Creative people in Jakarta abounds. But can you?

12:07

Create something, a cross-creativity gathering cross-innovation, do something with Jakarta.

12:13

Don't just complain.

12:15

Because if you wait for government, even when computers can have children,

12:18

.. nothing will happen.

12:23

So I started Bandung Creative City Forum.

12:25

20 creative communities in Bandung gather.

12:31

With just one intersection "do something with the city", more or less so.

12:35

And then I remember, networking is everything.

12:38

My life is easy, because I have many friends.

12:40

If I have problems, my life is easy. Because I do lots of networking.

12:43

So never stop making friends. Make more of them.

12:48

So my friends aren't just architects.

12:50

From bicycle cab drivers, to celebrities.

12:53

So then, I expand my networking. Not just in Bandung.

12:57

This is something reaching the stage of mutual MoU.

13:01

We will "do something" with Kuala Lumpur, Bandung, and with Bali eventually.

13:04

In Bali there is something called "Bali Creative Power" And the likes.

13:09

What makes me sad, this creative economy. I happen to won in 2006.

13:14

This year there will be screen and interactives, I recommend you to apply.

13:20

Deadline is end of August, in the British Council.

13:22

I won and was sent off to London, Tthat's what also changed my life.

13:27

One sad thing is, in my own country, there's lack of appreciation.

13:32

2 weeks ago I got a cal. Being chosen as advisor on the creative economy.

13:37

But in Taiwan, not in Indonesia, not in Bandung.

13:42

Then I created a festival

13:43

Because a civilized nation, is a nation that celebrates it's culture.

13:48

The more festivals there are, show that a city or a country is more cultured.

13:53

So, don't hesitate to share like this. Don't hesitate to organize festivals.

13:58

This, is my favorite public transport. Because of all of them. It's the most fun.

14:03

So, the rest is ignored, this waits...

14:06

Because these are the days of narcissism right, this can be a background as well.

14:12

This, we also do.. public space. Nobody came here in the past.

14:17

Now, taking photos, and update Facebook status.

14:20

For profile picture, if the name starts with A, the photo is with the A.

14:23

If the name starts with G, the photo must be with G.

14:25

This shows that public space can be pretty.

14:27

We will launch this next month. There's a gallery, and lots of things.

14:32

This is provided by our friends, not the government. \ 222 00:14:36,256 --> 00:14:40,416 Big dream, but we start small. A lot of slums in the city.

14:40

This I want to help, by buying land using someone else's money.

14:44

If you buy land with your own money, that's not creative right?

14:47

(audience laughter)

14:48

I turned the land into a playground. When the slum community got this park.

14:53

It transformed their lives. The mothers no longer throw away garbage mindlessly.

14:58

They green their community, send their children to school, ...to my creative community.

15:02

In the past, children don't want to go out, this was an ex-convicts neighborhood.

15:07

I let them color their own neighborhood.

15:10

So all the children got out. And painted their neighborhood, to their liking.

15:12

But there were guidance, professionals from friends in the creative community.

15:15

So what used to be a black, dark, gloomy neighborhood. Is now colorful. Pretty isn't it.

15:21

They're psychologically better off. Like this.

15:24

There are 11 spots, places like this. So the slum now becomes local tourist attraction.

15:30

The economy, printing photos from mobile phones. Now becomes a favorite business there.

15:36

Because there's not many people have mobiles there...

15:43

So this, all started from that grandma I told you about.

15:47

"Do your creativity, to change your society". Not for yourself.

15:51

My hope, is that if one company can buy just 100 square meters.

15:57

We help create green spaces in cities.

16:00

Don't wait for government. That will take forever.

16:04

So my hope is if more companies does this, we motivate them.

16:08

Hopefully, small but plenty. The gOvernment often said.

16:14

"How can we expand green spaces, there's no more forest or land to buy."

16:18

I said it's all just the mindset. This is our way to motivate people that...

16:23

They can initiate change by themselves, more or less so.

16:29

Common pattern in Indonesia's cities. Lots of people, slums, electricity is limited.

16:37

Indonesia is an "Earth Hour" country right? Because electricity often goes out I mean.

16:41

(audience laughter)

16:42

Without any consolidation. The public electricity provider creates their own "Earth Hour"

16:47

So me and friends from the Arts, Architecture and Electrical majors

16:53

Because I teach a class about Creative City in ITB.

16:58

We created a project, called Enerbike.

17:00

So morning exercise, maybe we can collaborate with Ade Rai.

17:04

So when people do cardio, not just exercising and getting slimmer.

17:08

But also generates electricity.

17:10

Something like this...

17:13

This will launch next month.

17:15

(audience cheers and claps)

17:18

Originally, it will launch next month. Hopefully will sell for $700.

17:25

I also look for donors, anyone, individuals, companies.

17:28

We spread it to all the slums. Where there's lots of people.

17:32

Who need creativity.

17:34

If you want to update Facebook for an hour. Do an hour of morning excercise first.

17:39

More or less so.

17:41

Because one hour of cycling. Theoretically will generate...

17:45

Electricity to power 8 light bulbs and a laptop for an hour.

17:48

This first project will be in that neighborhood. So electricity doesn't have to depend from electricity company.

17:53

So, all the children gets ligned up in the morning. Excercise..

17:56

(audience cheers)

17:57

Tonight..

17:58

(audience cheers and claps)

18:02

Tonight we surf the web, or read with light from our own sweat.

18:12

This, is done with the "Urban Guerillas" community. But my point is, that..

18:19

We are.. I'm embarrassed if..

18:23

If we, according to Ade's theory, may live to 60..

18:26

Would you, for 60 years, just get busy from 9 to 5. And before you know it, you're old.

18:31

Not doing anything, history doesn't recognize you. You don't become anything.

18:35

I want in this 60 years, at least there's something that can change society.

18:41

My father passed away, when I was doing my undergraduate thesis.

18:43

That was the most difficult year, 1995.

18:46

Thesis work was hard, ITB's lectures were 'killers'.

18:49

My first girlfriend dumped me.

18:53

Because she had an affair with someone his uncle's age. something like that..

18:56

(audience cheers and laughs)

19:03

And my father died that year. That was a very tough year for me.

19:06

One of my father's message was...

19:08

"Emil.. there are four kinds of youth in Indonesia.

19:12

One is smart, but cares not. Plenty of them. They go abroad.

19:17

.. not proud of Indonesia. But smart and clever.

19:21

Twitter generation. Facebook generation.

19:23

One, smart but doesn't care about Indonesia.

19:24

The second, are young people who... who..

19:31

Who cares, but aren't smart. They're the ones doing all those demonstration..

19:35

Get payed..

19:36

(audience cheers and laughs)

19:38

Pretends to be active, plenty of them. That is not us.

19:42

The worst is those who, on top of not being smart, they also don't care.

19:44

Those are the thugs you meet in traditional markets.

19:47

So I say, be the fourth kind.

19:50

Be a young peerson who is smart, goes to school, clever, social.

19:54

But also cares about Indonesia. Cares about poverty.

19:59

.. cares about the energy crisis, and such.

20:01

If we can give birth to young people who care, and are smart

20:07

I think Indonesia will, God willing, be a country that's..

20:11

.. most comfortable to live in.

20:13

A country that.. our children and grand children can inherit.

20:18

Last, was when I was in New Delhi. This is what inspires me.

20:22

A writing in a cafe, in India.

20:24

"Be the change you want to see in the world."

20:29

Thank you.. good afternoon.

20:31

(audience cheers and claps)