THE CONCEPT OF ARRANGING THE OLD PEKAN LABUHAN CITY AREA AS A CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL TOURISM AREA

Abstract

The Old City area of Pekan Labuhan in Medan, once the center of the Deli Sultanate
(1728–1888), has lost its appeal due to poor environmental and cultural maintenance.
The Deli River, once the city's lifeline, has also experienced physical, chemical, and
biological degradation. The Medan city government plans to designate this area as a
cultural and nature reserve under Regional Regulation No. 1 of 2022, focusing on
preserving historical and cultural values to support history-based tourism and
strengthen local identity. This study uses a qualitative descriptive method, combining
field observations and literature reviews. Key issues identified include limited
communal parking, poor pedestrian infrastructure, neglected buildings, and the
conversion of historical structures. Solutions based on the Urban Heritage concept
include creating visitor parking areas, vertical gardens, signage, riverbank open spaces,
revitalizing Chinese heritage buildings, and improving pedestrian pathways. Non
physical strategies involve engaging youth, fostering public-private partnerships,
organizing annual events, promoting local products, and marketing the area through
social media. In conclusion, zoning that integrates tourism with historical preservation
is essential. By applying heritage principles and developing urban heritage tourism, the
Old City can present its rich past as a modern attraction. This Urban Heritage Concept
aims to serve as a model for managing heritage sites across Indonesia.