PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The Bandung City Department of Culture and Tourism (Disbudpar) held a "Talking in the Museum" event titled "Toponymy of Parks and Streets in Bandung City" at the Bandung City History Museum on Jalan Aceh, Friday (September 25, 2026). This event was initiated to explore the historical value, local identity, and collective memory of residents behind the naming of public spaces in Bandung City.

The event featured two historians and academics, Dr. Miftahul Falah, M.Hum., and Atep Kurnia. The discussion was enthusiastically attended by various stakeholders, including legislative representatives, regional officials, cultural committees, and the general public.

Miftahul Falah explained that the naming and renaming of streets in Bandung continues to develop along with the history of its people, especially after the decolonization in 1950. He gave the example of the Jalan Dipati Ukur area which during the colonial period was called Ring Boulevard and Beatrix Boulevard, to the dynamics of name changes on Jalan Cipaganti.

According to Miftahul, the history of a region is not only stored in official documents, but is also deeply embedded in the collective memory of the community.

"Every trace of society's past is history. And it's not the events that define history, but us," said Miftahul.

Meanwhile, historical researcher Atep Kurnia highlighted the development of city parks that are inseparable from spatial planning since the formation of Haminte Bandung in 1906. One of the oldest parks that became the focus of his study was Pieterspark.

"The development of parks in Bandung, especially after the formation of Haminte, is closely linked to the formation of colonial urban space," explained Atep.

One of the key points discussed in this activity was the Academic Study of City Park Toponyms, which covered 25 thematic parks in Bandung. The study yielded several recommendations for renaming parks to better align with local wisdom and the history of the surrounding areas.

Some suggestions for adjusting the park name based on the results of the study include:

* It is recommended that City Hall Park be re-designated as Merdeka Park.
* It is recommended that the Elderly Park be adapted to become Cisangkuy Park.
* Dewi Sartika Park is recommended to be adapted to become Wastukancana Park (based on the historical connection of the Pieterspark area and the naming of the Sundanese King).

Through the "Chatting at the Museum" program, the Bandung City Culture and Tourism Office hopes to strengthen collaboration across regional agencies and communities in supporting cultural advancement, heritage preservation, and the development of public spaces that reflect Bandung's identity. (Bandung City Communications and Information Office/rka)