page_title: Merdeka Square, Jakarta
section_title: Design
hierarchical_section_title: Merdeka Square, Jakarta / Design
caption_attribution_description: English: Architectural model of Merdeka Square, Central Jakarta, Indonesia, displayed in National Monument (Monas).
context_page_description: Merdeka Square is a large square located in the center of Jakarta, Indonesia. Merdeka is the Indonesian word for freedom or independence. Measuring approximately one square kilometer in area, if the surrounding fields within the Merdeka Square are included, it is considered one of the largest squares in the world. At 75 hectares, it is over five times the size of Tiananmen Square, and 12 times the size of Place de la Concorde.
  At its center stands the National Monument, often called Monas. The paved plaza surrounds the monument often host national events such as military and float parades, as well as civic demonstrations. Surrounding the Monument is now a park with a musical fountain in western side, and a deer enclosure where deer roam among the shady trees in the southeast corner. The square is a popular destination for Jakartans for sports and recreation especially on weekends.
  It is surrounded by important government buildings such as the Merdeka Palace, the National Museum, the National Library, Jakarta City Hall, Istiqlal Mosque, the Supreme Court and various governmental ministries. During the colonial Dutch East Indies era the square was called Koningsplein.
context_section_description: The shape of Merdeka Square has been altered several times within its two-century history. The current design is mainly based on the site plan from the 1960s — as a part of the design of the National Monument that incorporated diagonal crossed streets that separated four cardinal parks. Recent development on the square is based on a master plan produced in 1993.
  A renovation began in the mid 1990s for the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Indonesian Independence in 1995, and continued well to the 2000s. The renovation moved the roundabout street further from the monument as it was feared that the vibrations from the passing vehicles would shake and disturb the monument's foundation. However, later decided that the vehicles should be prohibited to enter the square altogether. The further roundabout create a larger central garden around the monument. The asphalt road was changed to French stone pavement and created a grand plaza around the monument.
  The Merdeka square consists of two zones:
  Taman Medan Merdeka (Medan Merdeka Park). The large trees, reflecting ponds and fountains are located in this zone. The zone span from the fences on the outer rim of the park to the pedestrian path around the park.
  Ruang Agung (The Grand Space). It is the grand space to enhance the view of National Monument. There are no large trees or any visual obstructions allowed to remain in this zone. It is located from the pedestrian path to the National Monument in the center. It consists of grass fields, stone paved grand plaza, and a central garden around the monument filled with colorful flowers and decorative plants.
  There are four parks in Merdeka Square according to the cardinal points:
  Taman Medan Merdeka Utara (North Merdeka Park). The entrance to the tunnel that leads to the National Monument is located on this north park. A reflecting pond, the equestrian statue of Diponegoro and a bust statue of Indonesian poet Chairil Anwar also located in this area.
  Taman Medan Merdeka Timur (East Merdeka Park). Immediately located near the Gambir Station. The reflecting pond and the statue of Kartini, Indonesian heroine of women emancipation, donated by Japanese government that originally stood in front of Taman Suropati in Menteng is relocated here.
  Taman Medan Merdeka Selatan (South Merdeka Park). The Rapat Akbar 19 September 1945 monument or a flag-bearing statue is located here. The spotted deer park is located on southeast corner. The south park also displays unique plants as the symbol of the 33 Indonesian provinces. The IRTI parking ground, souvenir and foodstalls for National Monument visitors is located in this southern park.
  Taman Medan Merdeka Barat (West Merdeka Park). The dancing illuminated fountain is located here. The fountain show with music is performed every weekend nights. The bust of Mohammad Husni Thamrin, a national hero from Jakarta, is located here.
caption: Architectural model of Merdeka Square, displayed in National Monument
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