Enjoying the calming sensation on the banks of the Code River is now already a part of Yogyakarta’s tourist attractions. The ancient river boasts a historical significance as one of the passages for lava flow from Mount Merapi, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. The 42-meter river also splits Yogyakarta into two, east and west, and serves as its icon.
Learning how riverside areas in major cities of countries like Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, and Thailand could become well-cared public spaces has inspired Totok Pratopo, leader of Pamerti Code—a cultural group dedicated to the river’s preservation—to duplicate the feat.
To that end, Kampung Kali Code 1001 Jetisharjo develops the “Jelajah Kampung” (Exploring Kampung) Eco-tourism concept. Here, university students are welcome to learn about community-based river management, including trash, waste, and the use of riverbank for settlement. In addition, tourists could also try a three-kilometer trek from Kewek to Jetisharjo.
Nippon Paint also supports the endeavor through its “Warnai Kehidupan” CSR program, with the donation of 1,554 liters of Brilliant White 1001 and True Blue NP PB 1534D products, enough to cover an area of 12,600 square meters or about 150 houses.
Regarding the program, Nippon Paint Area Sales Manager Topan Wijaksono says, “the ‘White-Blue’ program at Kali Code 1001 Jetisharjo is part of the vision outlined in the ‘Warnai Kehidupan’ CSR program, which aims to boost growth in socio-.economically challenged sectors.”
Topan adds that the revitalization is expected to boost the economic potential of the ecotourism village, provide residents with a new source of income, and turn the Kampung Kali Code 1001 Jetisharjo into an attractive, Instragrammable, iconic cultural destination.
Similarly, Totok says, “We hope the use of White-Blue combination as the iconic color of Kampung Kali Code 1001 Jetisharjo, could attract many tourists to visit. Moreover, the two colors could bring new energy to the locals.”
Yogyakarta Tourism Service head Wahyu Hendratmoko states that Yogyakarta boasts a variety of tourist attractions, whether cultural, historical, educational, culinary or even shopping, which can also be found in tourist villages.
“Cokrodiningratan is one of the tourist villages with a development centered around Code River. With Nippon Paint’s welcome support through its paint donations, the residents could beautify the area and make it more appealing. We hope that if attractive tourist villages continue to emerge, they could serve as alternative destinations that will lengthen tourists’ stay in Yogyakarta,” says Wahyu.
Wahyu further expresses hope for Nippon Paint to support more villages. They include Kampung Kotabaru and Jogoyudan, also around Code River. The support will boost the Kotabaru tourism area (Suroto-Sudirman) and reduce the congestion in Malioboro.
Speaking during the occasion, Yogyakarta Deputy Mayor Drs. Heroe Poerwadi states that settlements around the banks of Code River have a considerable potential to benefit the people around them.
