Stretching 1.2 km along the Gajah Wong River, the project exemplifies ‘urban acupuncture’: a network of small, strategic interventions designed collaboratively with local residents. Situated near major universities, the densely populated, low-rise neighbourhood has been revitalized to address safety, sanitation and flood resilience while introducing educational and playful public functions – a microlibrary, playground, flood-control post, waste management centre, and a bridge and sidewalk system that connects the community through accessible, multi-functional spaces.

Flooding once reached 2 m in the area, shaping the first layer of intervention. The river and streets were cleared of unmanaged waste, while homes built along the water’s edge were carefully negotiated to set back from the riverbank. Sheet piling prevents landslides, and a new 3 m inspection street now conceals drainage and sewage systems beneath, connecting to a flood-control post. A community-led waste collection and training system supports cleaner, healthier living.

The design process relied on community participation as its foundation. Through a series of offline and online meetings, focus groups and interviews, SHAU worked with residents to map needs and priorities. Local architect and researcher Pauline Boedianto led direct engagement with households, while SHAU collaborated closely with the Ministry of Public Works, municipal stakeholders and technical consultants. The process was iterative: designs evolved with user feedback, budget constraints and construction realities, ensuring that each element – no matter how small – served multiple functions.

The microlibrary, with its locally produced terracotta façade, filters sunlight and heat while establishing a strong visual identity for the area. Elevated on stilts, it creates a shaded public space beneath, adaptable for events, weddings, markets or parking – maximizing utility without adding footprint. The playground transforms the plaza above the wastewater treatment site into an active community hub, integrating cultural expression through a large Wayang figure of Gatotkaca, referencing local folklore and the street’s name. Flood-control posts and fences draw from batik patterns, merging functional design with aesthetic and environmental awareness. Sidewalks etched with historical Javanese texts convey educational and ecological messages, linking heritage with everyday use.

Material choices reflect the local construction culture. Clay, widely used in the village, connects the project to its surroundings while supporting local craftsmanship. The microlibrary’s façade, composed of half-cylindrical clay shells tied into rebar mats, produces a unique batik-inspired pattern that shades the interiors while allowing cross ventilation. The same system is used in the playground’s Gatotkaca screen, creating continuity across interventions. Even underground infrastructure is turned into play, with circular manhole covers doubling as a hopscotch path.