The Survival of Chinatown Architecture: Lasem Chinatown, Indonesia

Sudarwani, Margareta Maria and Rukayah, R. Siti (2022) The Survival of Chinatown Architecture: Lasem Chinatown, Indonesia. ISVS e-journal (Journal of the International Society for the Study of Vernacular Settlements), 9 (2). pp. 1-17. ISSN 2738 2222

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Abstract

The survival of form and space of Lasem Chinatown, which is different from other Chinatowns, can be described as follows: 1) Lasem Chinatown is one of the Chinatowns that does not adopt shop houses but has a large residential lot with a unique architecture and has survived until nowadays. 2) The settlement is quite old and the age of the houses is between 150 and 200 years. 3) The spatial pattern of Lasem is still maintained, in the shape of a corridor with a solid high wall on both sides of the road. The uniqueness of Lasem Chinatown’s architecture deriving from space formation where people survive to occupy it indicates the existence of meaning and attachment to their place that people have. To explore this uniqueness, a research extracted data and information from resident informants and community leaders in Lasem Chinatown. The focus of this research is to discuss the survival of Lasem Chinatown area based on activities, functions, and values. This study uses a naturalistic qualitative method based on a phenomenological approach with an inductive method to explain or reveal the meaning of experiences related to the phenomenon of Lasem Chinatown survival based on the awareness of several individuals from Lasem Chinatown. The findings indicate that there are three elements underlying the survival of form and space of Lasem Chinatown which are the power of tolerance, the power of adaptation and the power of physical character. The three elements are supported by local powers, which are history power, economy power, tradition power, religion power, kinship power, and social community power. The values of Lasem people which are certainly different from others become the center of all survival elements, forming a unique Chinatown. Keywords: architecture, Chinatown, cultural heritage, Lasem, survival

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