Pasar Baru and Bandung's Old Chinatown will be developed into a culinary tourism district.

The Bandung City Government is targeting a new identity for one of the most dynamic districts in the city center. Pasar Baru and Old Chinatown are planned to be developed into a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), integrating commercial trade, culinary, creative economy, and tourism activities.

This initiative opens opportunities for this historic quarter at the heart of Bandung to evolve with a new identity while preserving the long-established character that has always been its core strength.

Pasar Baru is recognized as one of the city's primary commercial hubs, while Old Chinatown holds significant potential through its rich culinary heritage and unique historic district atmosphere.

Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan stated that the development concept for Pasar Baru will be fully integrated with Old Chinatown, allowing both areas to reinforce one another as a combined economic and tourism magnet.

"The entire scheme will operate under private sector investment partnerships. The government will only oversee regulatory framework," Farhan stated during an address in Bandung.

Under this concept, the government will not act as the primary investor. The Bandung City Government will instead focus on drafting regulations, spatial planning, and ensuring the district develops as a comfortable, well-ordered public space.

"This means we return to our core function of urban planning and order enforcement. 100% of investment will come entirely from private entities," he added.

Pasar Baru and Old Chinatown Merged As One Integrated District

This development is not designed merely to create a new shopping centre. Pasar Baru and Old Chinatown will be shaped into a destination that delivers immersive experiences for both tourists and local residents.

Visitors will be able to shop, enjoy local cuisine, explore the historic city lanes, and engage with creative economy activities. This model also creates potential to expand operational space for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and local business operators.

Integrating the two districts is considered a critical approach, as both carry distinct yet highly complementary characteristics.

Commercial activity at Pasar Baru will act as the primary entry point for visitors, while the culinary offerings and nostalgic atmosphere of Old Chinatown will extend and enrich the overall visitor experience.

If implemented as planned, central Bandung will gain a fully walkable urban tourism destination that can be explored entirely on foot.

Full Redevelopment Planned For ABC Road to Suniaraja Road Network

District development will be accompanied by comprehensive infrastructure upgrades, focused particularly on the narrow lane network surrounding the site.

The Bandung City Government has scheduled this revitalisation work for 2027, covering ABC Road, Suniaraja Road, Alkateri Road, and the rear precinct of Dulatip Market.

Farhan confirmed these infrastructure works are part of a formal agreement with the West Java Provincial Government to strengthen the Pasar Baru and Old Chinatown precinct.

"This arrangement confirms that by 2027, every small street across ABC, Suniaraja and Alkateri will be fully renovated and properly organised," he stated.

Street and public space arrangement is a core component of the development. Visitor experience is not only defined by shops and restaurants, but also by comfort when moving between locations throughout the district.

Well-designed public streets are expected to improve pedestrian mobility, increase visitor comfort, and strengthen the district's reputation as a leading culinary and urban tourism destination.

Airport Transport Links Included In Master Plan

Alongside precinct revitalisation, the Bandung City Government is also opening proposals for dedicated transport services connecting Husein Sastranegara International Airport directly to Pasar Baru and other key city destinations.

This planned shuttle service is designed to allow arriving international and domestic tourists to travel directly to the city's central activity hubs without delay.

This dedicated transport service is not yet operational. The government is currently awaiting formal business proposals from private transport operators interested in running the service.

"It is not available at this time, but there have been initial expressions of interest. I am still waiting for formal submission from several private transport operators to run this airport shuttle route," Farhan explained.

Breathing New Life Into Bandung's City Centre

The redevelopment plan for Pasar Baru and Old Chinatown represents Bandung's strategic effort to revitalise its historic urban core through economic and tourism focused development.

With all investment provided by the private sector, government authorities will focus exclusively on spatial planning, regulatory oversight, public order, and delivery of supporting public infrastructure.

The key remaining challenge will be ensuring modern development does not erase the district's original identity. Pasar Baru's heritage as a trading hub and Old Chinatown's identity as a culinary and cultural quarter must remain the foundational strength of the redeveloped precinct.