Just as the Island of Java was called the Garden' of the East in the late 19" century, the Preanger (Bandung) region came to be known as the Garden of Java, an exceptional agricultural area, in which productivity excelled, even more so than its fertile neighbors. It was at a time when the highland of Bandung became one of many famous plantation areas in Indonesia, with more than different 150 plantations.
An important strategy to move the colonial capital from Batavia to Bandung in 1917, which resulted in a booming local economy, and brought in huge profits, made sure that Bandung developed into the most modern, European style City in the Dutch Indies. Public buildings, government offices, hotels and expensive villas, properties of the affluent, were developed in that era. The 1920's and the 1930's constituted the heyday of Bandung. And it was all happening at a time when Bandung became known as "The Paris of Java".

Bandung today, is possibly no longer "The Paris of Java", but the colonial face of Bandung is still evident everywhere. Bandung, at one time, a Dutch colonial commercial and administrative center, was the jewel of the region, boasting many great buildings, many of which today, have been maintained and are still used as public venues.
Although Balai Kota Bandung is not a prominent component of the Bandung skyline, it is one of the many important heritages of Bandung, and the headquarters of the Major of Bandung. Basically, this building was built as a coffee warehouse. Then in 1929, it was redesigned and rebuilt by Dutch architect, E.H. De Roo, one of the members of Gemente Van Bandung, the town council of the period. Because it has a flat roof, people call it papak (papak means flat), and it is popularly known now as Gedung (building) Papak.

After six years, in 1935, the building that was designed in "functionalim" architectural style was complete. Like most of the official buildings, which were built during that decade, this building fulfilled one the typical aims of Dutch Colonial architecture. It was built with a formal European style and it was built to be elegant. However, pure European designs don't necessarily suit a tropical climate, and so quite naturally, tall windows were incorporated to allow airto circulate.
Then, in the 1980s, two new buildings were erected on the left and right site of the property. Because of its smart plan, the two new buildings complemented the original buildings' elegant appearance to maintain a European style. And due to its function as a public building, it was finished off to create the impression of being elegant and formal, but also inviting at the same time.

The property's beauty is reflected in its magnificent park. The park itself has an interesting history. It was established in 1885 by the young botanist called Teuscher, to become a modern counterpart of the Alun﷓alun (town square). To understand the existence of this beautiful park, we need to step back to the era when the "Association for the Prosperity of the Population of Bandung and Surrounding Area" existed. Since the organization was founded, City development became more controlled. Among the accomplishments are parks and gardens, including Pieter's Park (now Taman Merdeka), named after the association's founder. Shortly after, the image of Bandung as a city of parks and flowers began to take shape.
Because of its success in combining old buildings with new buildings, this propery has been recognized by the Aga Khan Foundation, as one of the many architectural masterpieces in Bandung.
By the special social events, such as bazaars, art performances, and concerts often taken place in this park. So perhaps, these kinds of social events will make people aware of the importance of a City park.