PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - Braga Beken has officially become the name for the vehicle-free area on Jalan Braga at the weekend. The name was officially announced by the Acting Mayor of Bandung, Bambang Tirtoyuliono (4/5/2024).

Before it was officially named Braga Beken, the vehicle-free Jalan Braga area was initially called Braga Free Vehicle. The Bandung City Government also held a naming competition for this area via Instagram @humas_bandung.

As a result, there were 745 comments on proposed names for the Braga Free Vehicle area. From this total, 10 names were filtered which were then discussed with the West Java Province Language Center.

Finally, Braga Beken was chosen as the new name for this area. Behind the name, there is one of the originators of the idea.

His name is Rahmat Blue. He wasn't the only one who suggested this name. However, based on incoming comment data on Instagram @humas_bandung, he was listed as the name idea giver who left a comment earlier.

Rahmat, who has the Instagram account @ra21laz, is a resident of Coblong District. His daily life is close to the world of academia. He teaches at the Professional Engineering and Regional and City Planning Program, Bandung Islamic University.

"Braga is as famous as similar locations in several other cities, such as Jogja with its Malioboro, Bangkok with its Khaosan Road, or Korea with its Myeong-dong Shopping Street," said Rahmat to Bandung City Public Relations.

The term 'Beken' was the initial idea, Rahmat said was an adoption of the word 'Bekend' into Indonesian. This term originally comes from Dutch.

"Beken I'm thinking about is not just famous which is an abbreviation of vehicle-free. It means "well-known; "familiar". It is well known and has become a flesh and blood part of the daily activities of Bandung residents," explained Rahmat.

His scientific background in Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Civil Engineering makes him focus on spatial planning, architecture, transportation landscapes and pedestrian-friendly cities.

"That is a dream that I want to make come true in this city," he said.

Rahmat hopes that Braga Beken will not only run temporarily, but for the future.

He hopes that the Jalan Braga area can be sterilized and truly become a complete "walking street". And it can be enjoyed by people from all walks of life without any interference or traffic from various types of vehicles that use fossil fuels.

"Hopefully Braga Beken will not only be held on weekends, but every day. I really appreciate this area," concluded Rahmat.