Wonderful Pekalongan City

Hi, smart people! Welcome to my blog! 

My name is Amele. I was born in a beautiful city called Pekalongan, a small city located in Central Java. This time, I am going to tell you about my hometown, Pekalongan.  

I would like to tell you about Pekalongan starting from the history of the city, then the demographics of the city, after that geographical location, and the last is about social and also economic conditions. Here we go ...

A. History of Pekalongan City

I do not really know about the history of my city because there are several versions of the origin of the name of the town of Pekalongan. One of them is mentioned in the time of Baurekso became regent of Pekalongan and also as the Commander of the Mataram Kingdom. In 1628 he got orders from Sultan Agung to attack VOC (Indonesia: Kompeni) in Batavia. Then he fought hard, even beginning with penance such as flying fox/bat (Javanese: topo, ngalong) in the Gambiran forest. Since that time, the area known by the name of Pekalongan. In another version mentioned that the names of Pekalongan also comes from the word Apek and Along (Javanese: apek (search), along (a lot). It relates to sea waters in an area which is rich in fish by results of Pekalongan. 

Additionally, I would like to tell you about the general preview of Pekalongan City.

Pekalongan city is one of the cities in the region of Central Java province (there are 35 districts/cities in Central Java province, consisting of 6 cities and 29 counties). Pekalongan City area is 0.14% of the Central Java Province area. Pekalongan is an area of the North coast of Java and one of the strategic knot of the northern coast of Java lane because Pekalongan City is located in halfway between Jakarta and Surabaya.

The distance of Pekalongan City to Jakarta is 384 km and the distance of Pekalongan City to Surabaya is 409 Km. It can be reached through highway road transportation and railway. Accessibility of Pekalongan City has increased by double track railway development that is expected to increase continuously along with the toll roads development plans across Java.

Historically-morphological, Pekalongan City that is formed linearly with a tendency towards western and eastern indicates the regional transport lines strength of the North coast of Java Island. In the development, the city linear form is also growing to the south, which shows the close relation of Pekalongan City with the surrounding area, especially with Pekalongan Regency. 

B. Demographics of Pekalongan City

The population of Pekalongan City in 2017 based on BPS data of Pekalongan City as much as 299.222 people, consisting of 149.623 males and 149.559 females.

The population density of Pekalongan City tends to increase along with the increase of population, if 2015 is 6.554 people soul / km2, 2016 becomes 6.613 people soul / km2, and in 2017 becomes 6.672 people soul / km2.

Sources: Statistics of Pekalongan City | Updated January 3, 2019 

C. Geographical Location

Now, I would like to show you the maps of Pekalongan City. 

Pekalongan city is one of the cities, which becomes the center of economic growth in Central Java administratively having borders as follows :

North: Java Sea
South: Pekalongan Regency and Batang Regency
West : Pekalongan Regency
East : Batang Regency

Pekalongan city has a strategic position because it is located in the middle of north coast lane of Jakarta - Surabaya and relatively close to the southbound lanes. Pekalongan City has a fictive coordinate 510.00 – 518.00 Km Horizontally and 517.75 – 526.75 Km Vertically. The distance of Pekalongan city with several cities are:

Semarang   : 101 km
Jakarta    : 384 km
Surabaya   : 488 km
Yogyakarta : 219 km

The total area of Pekalongan city is 45.25 km2 and the farthest distance from North to South is ± 9 km, while from West to East is ± 7 Km. All region is a flat area, there are no areas with steep gradients, consisting of 74,32 % Ha dry land and 25,68 % rice fields.

Pekalongan is a tropical climate with average rainfall in 2016 recorded about 206,41 mm per month and the number of rainy days is 100 days. The average temperature in Pekalongan from year to year has not changed much, ranging from 23º-35ºC. 

D. Social-Economic Conditions

Honestly, I don't really know about the social-economic conditions of my city because the area of ​​Pekalongan City is wide enough for me to explore. Moreover, Pekalongan City has four city sub-districts, while my residence is in the eastern part of Pekalongan City. But, I will try to inform you guys about employment, infrastructure, and economic growth of Pekalongan city.

Employment
In planning the development, the data about employment plays an important role. Development programs cannot be implemented without labor. The Availability of complete, accurate, valid and sustainable employment data would facilitate the Government in making development plans. Labor is the population aged 15 years or more, (according to the International Labour Organization) called the working age population.

One of the important index in employment is the Dependency Ratio. Dependency Ratio is a comparison between the number of people aged 0-14 years, plus the population 65 years and above compared with the population aged 15-64 years. The dependency ratio can be seen by age that is the young Dependency Ratio and the Old Dependency Ratio.

Allaahu Akbar! So far, I feel like I am getting back in senior high school. All of this is like geography and history subject. JAJAJA. It's okay! I miss you, Mr. Suhadi – my geography teacher. Next!

Infrastructure
There are several infrastructures, such as clean water, electricity, transportation, health facilities, education facilities, etc. But, I will only inform about transportation facilities because I don't have many pieces of information about them and I'm afraid of inputting incorrect data. I fear being sued to the Constitutional Court. Just kidding. Sorry. Next!

Pekalongan city has an infrastructure that is adequate to support the existing investment climate, so that not only attracts investors but also offers a comfortable shelter for the community.

Transportation means in Pekalongan city include :

a. Bus Station
The bus station in Pekalongan is included in the category of Type A which functions to serve the flow of long-distance passenger transport (regional) between City and Province. Buses for intercity in the province are available up to 82 units.

b. Railway Station
Pekalongan railway station is placed on Gajah Mada Pekalongan Street. The station is located in the strategic place because it is precisely in the northern coast road. The station for class 1 is in the operational Regional 4 Semarang and it has a LocomotiveSub depot and Logistics Warehouse.

c.Road
The road is a vital means of supporting transportation which has an important role, especially for road transport. The length of roads in Pekalongan City in 2015 reached 155.44 km consisting of 10.73 km along the country roads, 4.22 km along the provincial roads and 140.49 km along the city streets. 10.73 km along the country road has been asphalted in good condition which is the class I. Road provincial Street along 4.22 km is a class I road with the kind of paved roads, in good condition. The City Road length 140.49 km has been asphalted as long as 130.3 km (92.74%) and the good road conditions throughout 100.52 km (71.55%)

Economic Growth

Gross Regional Domestic Product/GRDP (Indonesia: Produk Domestik Regional Bruto/PDRB) as a measure of productivity reflects the entire value-added of goods and services produced by a region within one year. GRDP of Pekalongan City based on Running Cost in 2016 at current prices as much as Rp 8.507 trillion being at constant prices based on constant prices amounted to Rp 6.367 trillion.

Generally, GRDP value based on current prices per capita per year of Pekalongan City in 2015, reached Rp 26.36 million. This shows an increase of 8.66 percent when compared to 2014 Rp. 24.26 million.

Pekalongan city economy in 2016 has got increased compared with the previous year. This is demonstrated by the growth rate of Gross Domestic Product at constant prices of 5.36% in the previous year amounted to 5.00%.

The next is about the tourism sector. Here we go ...

Batik Tourism / Pekalongan Batik Fiesta
In order to commemorate the National Batik Day on October 2nd, usually, Pekalongan City holds The national and international events that aim to popularize and promote the use of batik as a manifestation of loving Indonesia. The series of activities at the event include batik carnival, batik exhibitions, arts, and culture performing and others.

It also reinforces the official recognition from the UNESCO which establishes The Indonesian Batik as the Intangible Cultural Heritage for Humanity.

1. Museum Batik

The museum was built on May 23, 2006, and was officially inaugurated by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Dr. H. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on 12 July 2006. The realization of the Batik Museum in Pekalongan City as a place to explore, preserve and develop batik as an Indonesian cultural heritage and information center should be developed, nurtured and maintained its existence.

This beginning museum function is as a data center and information about batik, a center for research of science and the batik design development, library and a reference in all batik matters, and a place to keep classic batik lawasan and contemporary batik. In addition, it is expected to be documentation, research, and information to the public in order to give the benefit to the wider community.

Since the XIV-XVI centuries, Pekalongan city has been known through batik work and the activities of making batik is as one of the main livelihoods by the majority of communities. On July 12th, 1972 representatives of the Ministry of Education and Culture of Central Java, and Division Head of Museum, also the Mayor of Pekalongan city, Drs. R. Supomo founded Pekalongan Batik Museum, located in the center of Pekalongan city. It is located in the south of the People's Entertainment Park  Bintang Merdeka (Indonesia: Taman Hiburan Rakyat Bintang Merdeka/THR Bintang Merdeka) building are now at police patrol post area, Regiment XVII Way.

The Batik Museum is 40 m2 and the building is very simple showcasing 1149 collection of batik. The other collection is wayang beber ( beber puppet) of batik cloth aged hundreds of years as well as traditional loom handloom (Not Weaving Machine Tools) as well as equipment for the process of making batik and managed by the Department of Education and Culture Pekalongan city.

Batik Museum facilities consist of Audio Visual Room, Pesisiran room/exhibition room I, the Nusantara Room/exhibition room II, Inner Space / Exhibition room III, Hall and Library.

2. Grocery Market of Setono

Batik grocery Market Setono is the first shopping area that sells various handicrafts including batik and some other products. Here, it also sells in the form of retail. Commodities of batik, convection, weaving, palekat and crafts are the main trading centers in Setono grocer Market.

The grocery market is easily accessible, located 3km east side of Pekalongan city, that is on Jl. Raya Baros which is Main road Jakarta - Surabaya (northern way). Beside the grocer market, Batik home and other handicraft center are located in some areas in Pekalongan city.

Beach Tourism

1. Marine Tourism 

Marine tourism of Pekalongan Archipelago Fishery Port is a sea tourist complex belongs to the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries in the city of Pekalongan. Freddy Numberi, The Minister of Marine and Fisheries, inaugurated officially the sea tourist complex in July 2006.

Pekalongan Archipelago Fisheries Port marine tourism is on the coast of Pekalongan city on Jl. WR Supratman number 1 Pekalongan archipelago Fishery Port. This tourist area offers views of the beach, sea, and estuaries. Visitors can hire a boat to get around the beach and watch the collection of marine fish in the aquarium. They also can go fishing or relax on the bridge or the playground.

Facilities at Marine Tourism Pekalongan Archipelago Fisheries Port among others: the gate of Marine Tourism, the marine tourism area of 10,000 m2, garden flower/tree shade fitted with tree names and descriptions, children's playground. There is also a store Aquarium Building :

a) 1st Floor : A marine and freshwater aquarium, (air-conditioned), contains various types of fish complete with names and descriptions.

b) 2nd Floor : Science Room of 150 m2 contains vessels miniature and fishing gear, research books.

c) 3rd Floor : Open space of 150 m2 for the view of the sea (viewing post).

2. The beauty of Pasir Kencana Beach

Pasir Kencana beach is the main resort owned by Pekalongan City government. This resort is located adjacent to the fish auction place or archipelago fishing port on the North Coast of Java, with a distance of 4.5 Km from the city/train station. This beach is a land area of 1.5 hectares.

The Office of Tourism and Culture Pekalongan city manages the tourist object. The facilities available are children's toys and playgrounds, outdoor stage, a collection of animals, benches and garden to relax, Water Pedicab, Cafe, mosque, toilets, and Bathroom, as well as parking space.

Other tourist objects that exist around Pasir Kencana beach are the crematorium, temples, fishponds, and fish aquarium in the Port. Here visitors can relax while watching the sunrise or sunset, anglers, and boat activity, playing in the park, fishing, beach sports. The visitor can feel the fresh coastal air.

3. The beauty of Slamaran Beach

The beauty of Slamaran beach is located on the east coast of Pasir Kencana beach, bordered by the estuary of Nusantara Fishery Port, this place can be reached through the harbor with cruises boat and overland using public transport about 5 km from the city center or bus terminal of Pekalongan city.

As a tourist resort, Slamaran beach has very beautiful scenery, the fresh air and the visitors can see sunrise and sunset so that it is very interesting to visit. The land area of Slamaran Beach is about 3.5 ha, equipped with large parking space, restaurants, food stalls and boat rentals that are ready to take visitors around Slamaran beach.

4. Mangrove Park

Project Description

One of Pekalongan city’s natural potentials is a coastline, which can be functioned as a tourist resort. There is a mangrove area in Pekalongan city. In some examples the development of mangrove ecosystems in Indonesia, it can also be developed into an as an educative tourist resort that helps increase local income from tourism. In addition, the mangrove ecosystem can also enhance the quality of marine life that is very profitable for anglers in the surroundings. Mangrove area in Pekalongan city is located in the Village of Kandang Panjang District of North Pekalongan city. The area development plan reaches 90 hectares and only about 5.7 hectares, infrastructures have been constructed, and while the remaining area about 84.3 hectares can be developed for other facilities.

DID YOU KNOW? Pekalongan is the World's Creative City!

Pekalongan city is one of the cities on the north coast of Central Java province that has many centers of batik and woven which inspired many other cities in Indonesia. Besides two national legacies, Pekalongan also develops many kinds of souvenirs made by utilizing natural materials, namely water hyacinth handicraft, decorative curtains craft, pottery and many more.

Pekalongan city, a well-known city for its batik craft, was crowned by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as the Creative City of the World for the category of Craft and Folk Art.

Pekalongan became the first city in Indonesia to be registered as a member of the World Creative City Network. UNESCO points to 28 cities from 19 countries as a new member of UNESCO's World Creative City Network so that now the total members are 69 cities.

The UNESCO World Creative City Network Program was launched in 2004. The network aims to encourage inter-city international cooperation in the field of creativity, so it will be able to contribute to the sustainable urban development, social welfare and increase the cultural influences in the world.

The creative network includes seven themes: art and craft, design, film, gastronomy, literature, art media, and music. It is designed to enhance international cooperation, as well as to share experiences and resources in order to promote regional development.

Yeay! I am proud of my city!

Well, I think that's all. Thanks for reading. See you on the next page!