Background Pondok Indah area was previously a vast expanse of fields,
rice fields, and
rubber and secondary
crop plantations. At one point, the area was visited by a famous architect and urban developer,
Ciputra. According to him, the plantation occupied a strategic area, as it was bordered by Jalan Ciputat Raya (which was previously part of the National Road from
Jakarta to
Bogor that passed through
Palmerah,
Ciputat, and
Parung) to the west and Lebak Bulus to the south. The plantation was located near
Kebayoran Baru (the first modern
satellite city in Indonesia) and was not a flood-prone area. In addition the soil did not contain salt like in the northern region of Jakarta. The area was also still a stretch of light forest and a source of clean water. Ciputra felt that Jakarta would undergoe a
population boom in the 1970s and predicted that a large number of
vertical housing would occupy Jakarta in the future. Based on this line of reasoning, he sought to redevelop the plantation area into a new satellite city.
Realization On developing Pondok Indah, Ciputra partnered with
Sudono Salim. At the time Salim wanted to develop
Sunter area, Jakarta. Pitching the plantation's better soil and air quality compared to Sunter, Salim agreed to work together and finance the development of Pondok Indah. He later said:
Early development Ciputra and his colleagues started the development in the 70s. He only built a few houses, since Ciputra felt that the elites who would want to move to the area would prefer to design and build their own houses. Ciputra was worried because the expense to acquire land and build road infrastructure and waterways was enormous. Therefore, they first built small houses in the north of Pondok Indah to raise quick funds. These were sold out quickly. Interest came from both "old" and "new" money. == Facilities ==