Oude Stad van Solo, The Cultural Heritage of Surakarta

This publication was initiated to fulfill the demand for studies on Surakarta-on the authentic elements of the city, its cultural issues, and its urban history, including some cases of vandalism perpetrated against certain historical buildings in the city. These days, the Solonese are increasingly aware of the need to take care of their historical architectural assets. The recent development of the city, conducted according to standards that are based on economics rather than on heritage, has aroused concern in historians, students, researchers, and others who cherish the city's heritage. The city's historical relics must be preserved in better condition. Many students and researchers no longer have access to their objects of study, and the inhabitants miss their old city and its tourist attractions; the images that represented the Oude Stad are gone. To contribute to a better understanding of the city, a team consisting of individuals from ASM (Arsitek Sejarawan Muda), Undagi Laboratory, URDC (Centre of Urban-Rural Design and Conservation), Sebelas Maret University Surakarta, Alumni UNS in Europe, and KPCBN (Komunitas Peduli Cagar Budaya Nusantara) are working together to publish OUDE STAD van SOLO. This book project is a collection of students' research papers on the topic of Surakarta's heritage.The book is divided into four topics: Cultural Issues, Authenticity, Urban History, and Vandalism of Heritage. Questions regarding such matters as cultural issues relevant to Solo's heritage, the urban condition of the city and the mapping of its architectural heritage, which elements in the city are authentic, and the destruction and demolition of Solo's heritage and landmarks are raised. This book contains some of the field studies conducted by the students of Sebelas Maret University. The students made their observations in situ, which allowed them to be aware of the present condition of the city's remaining architectural heritage.