THE INFLUENCE OF ‘GANG BARU’ TRADITIONAL MARKET ACTIVITIES IN THE USE OF PUBLIC SPACE IN SEMARANG CHINATOWN

Abstract

Chinatown is one of the commercial district in Semarang city, which continues to grow in the city center. It’s a 'generator' that drives a wide variety of economic activities, also self-actualization and disclosure of aspiration, expression of the people. One landmark Semarang's Chinatown is the traditional markets Gang Baru. Activities in Gang Baru includes selling/trading, the parking, loading and unloading on public space. The purpose of this study to analyze the traditional market activity in the public space by taking the characteristics of the cultural space. There is a relationship and influence between the market activity with the condition of public spaces in Gang Baru traditional markets and surroundings. Market activity effects change the social society condition in the field of the economic activities, using the dwelling house to shophouse, social interaction takes place between merchants and owner shophouse. The majority of Chinese societies ethnic are receiving the traditional market activity Gang Baru because it is a cultural heritage activities that has historical value, they continue the family business in this market. The trade time for the activities of buying and selling traditional market in the Gang Baru street give a strong influence on public space. Market activity give effects the disruption of the circulation, use of the road and pedestrian areas to the activities of hawkers, parking and unloading of goods.