Building Height Restriction in Bali

Little Bali Support for Taller Buildings
Bali Tourism Leaders Voice Their Opposition to Any Change that Will Allow 33 Meter High Buildings.

(5/22/2009) Efforts in some circles to change Bali's zoning and building regulations (RTRWP) to permit the building of 33 meters high structures - more than twice the current limit of 15 meters, is gaining virtually no support from Bali religious leaders, academicians, social commentators and tourism figures - all united in their opposition to the proposed building code change.

I Gusti Bagus Yudhara, past chairman of the Bali branch of the Indonesian Association of Travel Agents (ASITA), told the Bali Post that any agreement to change to current height limitation would only serve to open the door for changes in other areas. Yudhara said special exclusions for hospitals, schools, universities and public markets to allow structures standing 33 meters would be used as the basis for seeking wider exemptions for other classes of buildings in the future.

Elaborating on his reasons for opposing the change in maximum height rules, Yudhara said taller buildings would add to the general disorder in Bali and put added strain on an already over-burdened infrastructure. Finally, he sees permission for taller buildings as threatening the special character of the island and, in turn, its long-term sustainability as a tourism destination.

Arguing for retaining the 15 meter maximum height rule, Yudhara said that limited land area problems could be better addressed by allowing new buildings in Bali's north and east in accordance with approved zoning laws and supported by good access roads.

Separately, another tourism activist, Putu Juliadi, condemned plans to change the height restriction as not reflecting the Balinese people's love of culture, art and religion. Changes in the current rules, he insisted, would only serve special segments of society at the cost of Bali's future.

The Chairman of the Bali Chapter of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), Tjokorda Artha Ardhana Sukawati, sees no need for a change to the current rules, fearing any change would have a negative impact on Bali's tourism industry.

Keeping a Low-Profile Branding for Bali.
Noted Balinese Economist Lays Out Why He is Joining the Chorus of Those Opposed to Increasing Building Height Restrictions to 33 Meters.

(5/22/2009) The following interview with noted Balinese economist, Professor Dr. W. Ramantha, appeared in the May 20, 2009, edition of Bali Post. Dr. Ramanatha, who also serves as a Commissioner for the Bali Tourism Development Corporation, is the Dean of the Economic Faculty at Bali's Udayana University. What follows is a free translation of that interview.

Bali Post: What is the economic impact of the suggestion to allow buildings of up to 33 meters in height in Bali?

Professor Ramantha: What must be first understood is that the economy of Bali is very dependent on tourism, while the capital of tourism is culture. Thus, the suggestion to increase the building height requirement to 33 meters is an idea that that will hurt the "working capital" of tourism (i.e. culture), making the proposal economically unsupportable as it will negatively impact Bali's economy.

Bali Post: What must be done to profit Bali?

Professor Ramantha: Preserve the provincial rules on building height in place since the time of Professor Mantra's period of service as Bali's governor. By keeping the rule that does not allow buildings higher than a coconut palm (15 meters), Bali will preserve its branding, creating an added value to the island's economy.

Bali Post : How much does this matter in terms of a fair distribution of economic benefits?

Professor Ramantha: It's very significant. By holding to the existing rules, tourism investment, especially in the accommodation sector, will not be only focused on Bali's southern regions. New investments will spread to other regencies, each with their own potential and unique attractions.

Bali Post: What's the impact on investment in Bali?

Professor Ramantha : It is precisely by safeguarding the unique characteristics embodied in our building codes that the accommodation sector will profit. Our unique buildings cause tourists to pay more to stay in our hotels and this increase the income of hotels in Bali.