By: Wilson MA Therik, SE., MSi

MARI dreamed Kupang different than exist today. The town is not only growing in the field of economics (trade and services), but also develop as a healthy city (healthy city). Healthy City is a city that all citizens can live decent, met their basic needs: food, clothing, shelter (housing), employment, education and basic health. The city that economic growth can absorb the existing workforce, providing public space: The gardens of the city, pedestrian, museums, and so on, are adequate for residents.

Regular city traffic and crime rates can be reduced as low as possible. The city is not flooded in the rainy season every year, which is not lack of water in the dry season. The town is unhealthy settlements (slums) turned into a healthy residential, residential hygiene and inadequate sanitation. The town is not hit by any Ditahun Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF).

Cordia Chu (Healthy Cities Update, 1996) states, healthy cities allow citizens to develop their own potentials so prosperous and productive, allowing them to contribute to the development of his city. Healthy city and a thriving city economy are two sides of same coin. No city could develop a sustainable economy without adopting the concept of healthy cities.

World Health Organization, WHO, (1992) formulated the concept of healthy cities as: The healthy city project is rooted in a concept of what city is and a vision of what can Become healthy city. A city viewed as complex organism That Is living, breathing, growing and Constantly changing. A healthy city is one That Improve its environment and expands its resources so That people can support each other is Achieving Their highest potential.

Healthy city is like a complex living organism, breathing, growing, and constantly changing. The city continues to develop its resources so that citizens can support each other in
maximize its potential. Naturally there must be a balance between economic development to commercial interests with social interests. Between aspects of private and public aspects.

In the context of Kupang, and other big cities in Indonesia, the above requires the government's ability to develop business interests with the public interest of its citizens. As we all know that the public interest is often defeated.

The concept of healthy cities also necessitates the importance of the responsiveness of government in solving problems such as outbreaks of dengue fever that often occurs in the city of Kupang and other cities in East Nusa Tenggara and
other big cities in Indonesia. Health promotion programs should be encouraged. Rather than acting reactively and blame the victim as is the case today. Allowing DHF continued to occur each year could be called as a form of neglect by the state (state neglect).

The concept of healthy cities according to the WHO (1992:3) is putting aspects of social justice as its main pillars. The main pillar is supported by the other pillars that form the physical environment is clean, safe and orderly. Ecosystems are balanced and managed by the paradigm of sustainable development. Harness nature for the benefit of current generations without compromising the interests of future generations.

Healthy city also marked a high level of citizen participation in decisions about urban planning. Fulfillment of basic needs (food, clean water, shelter, employment, income and education) for all citizens. The existence of steady economic growth. The appreciation of ancient buildings which are traces of history and identity of the city. The existence of public spaces and recreational facilities at affordable urban community (Chu and Simpson, Ecological Public Health, From Vision to Practive, 1996).

WHAT a long line of healthy city is a prerequisite may be realized in the city? Of course it is. The concept of healthy cities more widely adopted in many countries today. Not only in developed countries, but also in developing countries are socio-economic conditions, politics and culture is not too much different from cities in Indonesia including the city of Kupang.

In Southeast Asia, take a look at cities like Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Manila. These cities are getting serious organize themselves into a healthy city. These cities have joined the Global Healthy Cities Movement initiated by the UN.

We were left behind. In fact, going further and further behind if they do not begin to dream and believe that the healthy city concept may be realized. Their experience shows that the capital development of a healthy city is the willingness and commitment of the municipality. And the existence of good governance, transparency, accountability and a willingness to hear people's aspirations. Good governance allows the city government to recognize the potential of his city. Able to set priorities and manage limited resources appropriately.

Good governance will foster a sense of trust (trust) society. This will trigger the behavior contributive and participative society for the development of healthy cities. Healthy city is not likely born of bad government and an apathetic public.

Clean government, creative and committed to inspiring people to contribute to the realization of a healthy city. Government and community leaders can start over small things, provide bins more and give examples of not littering. Giving examples of practice 3M (cover, drain and buried) waste as potential breeding grounds of dengue fever mosquito larvae.

Giving examples of not smoking. Giving examples are not mutually-crucify and honking race on the highways. Giving the example of civilized behavior in the city.

To Drs. Daniel Adoe (Kupang elected Mayor) and Drs. Daniel Hurek (Deputy Mayor of Kupang elected) 2007-2012 period, begin to build the city of Kupang towards a healthy city. Healthy Cities can not
embodied in a day. Rome, examples of healthy cities, are also not built in a day.

* This article has been published in The Daily City cursor dated July 27, 2007