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| Illustration: Losari Beach Pier in Makassar City, Indonesia, one day before dusk. Photo: Ahmadin |
Abstract - "Ethnic symbols are an important part of the social survival of a community living in a certain area. Apart from being a marker of socio-cultural identity, the symbol also becomes a certain ethnic pride. This paper examines the forms of social and cultural construction in the development of public spaces in Makassar City, which are associated with the existence and function of Losari beach in the past, present, and in the future. The appearance of Losari beach now or rather the Losari pavilion, seems to show a face which is a depiction of the four ethnic groups in South Sulawesi, namely Makassar, Bugis, Mandar, and Toraja. However, an interesting question related to this is is it true that the procurement of ethnic symbols in this public space is a form of cultural awareness? Or maybe just an economic strategy wrapped in ethnic identity? From these two questions, a description of the existence of Losari beach as a cross-age public space will be studied which is related to the theory of social construction. It will even go so far as to offer thought-provoking recommendations for the future of this historic beach".
This abstract presents a compelling critical study of the transformation of the Losari Public Open Space (RTP) in Makassar, highlighting how ethnicity is socially and culturally constructed. The primary focus on the representation of the four major ethnic groups in South Sulawesi—Makassar, Bugis, Mandar, and Toraja—in the area's iconography raises a fundamental question: is this a genuine form of cultural awareness or simply an economic strategy exploiting identity symbols?
The strength of this abstract lies in its courage to reject ethnic symbols as taken for granted. Using the analytical tools of social construction theory, the author not only describes the physical changes in Losari from past to present but also explores the motives behind these representations. The crucial question posed—between cultural awareness and economic strategy—distinguishes this main study from mere descriptive studies of urban space. This indicates that this abstract promises to be both normative and analytical.
Furthermore, the analysis, encompassing past, present, and future, provides a comprehensive diachronic perspective. Losari is not viewed as a statistical space, but rather as an arena under constant negotiation. The promise to offer visionary recommendations at the end of the abstract demonstrates that this research is solution-oriented, not merely critical. Overall, this abstract effectively encapsulates central issues regarding the commodification of identity in urban development, making it a promising read for scholars, urban planners, and policymakers concerned with cultural preservation in the modern cityscape.
