After 3 other successful slum revamps the government decided to makeover Kampung Pelangi to improve morale and boost the tourism industry.
Kampung Pelangi went from a degraded slum to an Instagram worthy rainbow village. The Indonesian government has been trialing the concept of upgrading places with bright and happy colours. Already the concept has been tried out on three other towns around Indonesia.
The idea came from 54-year-old junior high principal Slamet Widodo. The government used $22,000.00 to paint 232 homes and businesses. The colours and murals burst with life even turning dark pathways into bright places filled with possibilities. Widodo is said to want to paint a total of 400 houses.
“The idea to create Kampung Pelangi came after we saw the beauty of Kampung Warna-warni and Kampung Tridi in Malang, and later Kampung Kali Code in Yogyakarta. Hopefully Kampung Pelangi will be the biggest one in Indonesia and offer a new tourist attraction in Semarang,” – Slamet Widodo
The colourful village has drawn in tourists who want to see and be seen looking at the rainbow village. Already there has been an increase in sales at local food stalls and Souvenir’s meaning that the village is benefiting from the colourful makeover!
“One house has a minimum of three colors. We also cooperated with the Roads Agency, Tourism Agency as well as other agencies to help develop Kampung Pelangi. The locals have enjoyed the results, for instance by selling food and souvenirs,” – Siswoyo, Gapensi Semarang’s Art and Culture and Sports Department head.
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