Development is happening not just at the top end of the market thanks to Rainbow Village.
All the colours of the spectrum have brightened up part of a slum area, Gunung Brintik, on Java. Dubbed ‘Rainbow Village’ (Kampung Pelangi), the slum has now become a bit of a tourist attraction. Residents of the slum in the South Semarang district were asked to paint their homes in bright colours. The purpose was to regenerate this poor hillside area. And it has certainly worked. Rainbow Village has since gone viral thanks to featuring on multiple means of social media.
The idea was that of high school teacher Slamet Widodo. The paint was paid for by the local government, banks, construction forms, developers and paint manufactures. This town 450 kilometres from Jakarta has now become a mecca for those wanting their own picture of this brightly coloured corner of Indonesia.
Once just a nondescript place, it now catches the eyes of those who travel past it. Widodo hopes that it will achieve a sense of belonging for those living in the slum. Additionally to get people feeling creative with the hope of leasing to economic empowerment.
Those living in the slum have already seen the positive effects the painting has produced. Some are selling tours to those who visit and even souvenirs which is helping generate an income. One resident even commented that they feel the village is now ‘dynamic’ rather than ‘quiet’ as women are able to help add to their family’s income.
This is just the first phase as just one corner of Gunung Brintik has been at the receiving end of bright paint brushes. The aim is to continue the theme according to Semarang Mayor Henrar Prihadi. Additionally he plans to improve other amenities at the village. This includes the drainage systems, pedestrian walkways and food courts.
