Turning Waste into Beauty: How DLH Bangko Transforms an Old TPSS into a Public Flower Garden

In the heart of Kabupaten Merangin, Jambi—and more precisely in the administrative area of Kecamatan Bangko—the environmental agency DLH Bangko is demonstrating how a facility once regarded as a burden can become a community asset. The former Temporary Waste Storage Site (TPSS) is being transformed into a vibrant flower garden, and the project provides a model of innovation, public engagement, and environmental rehabilitation. A site with a challenging past The TPSS (Tempat Penampungan Sementara Sampah) had long served as a place where household waste would be collected prior to further processing or removal. Over time, however, community concerns grew. The site, originally meant for short-term disposal, had become associated with unpleasant odours, unsightly refuse piles, and limited usefulness for the neighbourhood. Complaints from nearby residents grew louder: increased flies, waste overflow after heavy rainfall, and even concerns about safety. Recognising these issues, DLH Bangko evaluated the site and decided: rather than continuing to struggle with an ageing infrastructure and a declining public image, they would re-imagine the space entirely. The question became: “What could this site be, instead of simply 'what must it no longer be?” Vision: green space for all Their vision: to convert the TPSS into an open, green space—a flower garden that would serve multiple purposes. Not only would it beautify the local environment, but it would offer a recreational area for residents, a platform for environmental education, and a demonstration of sustainable waste management. The design plan included: • Landscaping with native flowering plants and shrubs suited to the local climate; • Walking paths and seating areas for community use; • Signage explaining the transformation and linking back to the theme of waste-to-resource and community engagement; • Integration of some of the site’s existing waste-management infrastructure in a hidden/landscaped way (e.g., a composting zone tucked away, or signage pointing to previous uses). In effect, the garden becomes a symbol for renewal: the very site that once caused complaints now becomes a place of pride. Implementation: collaboration and community Turning the vision into reality required coordination. DLH Bangko appointed a project manager, engaged landscape contractors, and held community consultation meetings in the nearby kelurahan (village/sub-district) to gather input on what kinds of planting and park features the residents would like. Children’s drawings were even collected and used in signage design to reflect the community’s voice. The project phases: 1. Preliminary clean-up and remediation: removal of legacy trash, grading of the land, basic infrastructure (pathways, benches). 2. Soil preparation and planting: choosing flower species that bloom across seasons, are low-maintenance, and suit Jambi’s climate. 3. Installation of interpretive signage: panels tell the story of the site’s evolution from TPSS to garden, giving heritage value. 4. Official opening and community event: the agency invited local schools, residents, and media to attend the inauguration, encouraging citizen ownership of the space. Why this matters There are several key reasons why this kind of project is more than just a “nice garden”: Environmental benefits: By replacing an under-utilised waste storage site with vegetation, the garden helps reduce heat-island effects, improves local air quality, and provides habitat for pollinators (bees, butterflies). rnSocial benefits: Residents now have a public space for leisure, reflection, or family time. The site becomes a place of community pride rather than an eyesore. rnEducational value: Signage and guided tours show how the waste challenge was addressed, how composting or partial reuse can function, and inspire behavioural change in waste sorting and reduction. rnSymbolic value: The transformation sends a message: infrastructure can evolve. Waste management isn’t just about containment—it can be part of creating vibrant, livable spaces. rnGovernment accountability: The agency shows how it responds to citizen concerns and invests public resources not just in functional infrastructure, but in long-term community value. Key results so far Since the inauguration of the garden (held publicly with local schools and officials), several positive outcomes have been observed: Local residents report fewer odour complaints and fewer stray pests around the area. rnThe garden has become a popular spot for families and school visits, boosting local recreation. rnIncreased awareness about the local waste-management programme: schools now include visits to the garden in their field trips, and the signage encourages sorting of waste at source. rnThe garden has begun to serve as a micro-demonstration zone for composting: one corner is dedicated to garden waste collection and composting bins, with signage explaining how it works. Challenges and lessons learned No transformation of this kind comes without hurdles. DLH Bangko notes the key challenges: Initial funding and prioritisation: The agency had to justify redirecting budget from operational waste-collection to site redevelopment; making the case required demonstrating long-term community and environmental returns. rnMaintenance commitment: A garden may look beautiful at the start, but ongoing maintenance (watering, pruning, cleaning) is essential. DLH Bangko set up a maintenance plan involving local volunteers and a service contract with a gardening firm. rnCommunity buy-in: Some residents were sceptical at the start—concerned that the site might revert to dump status. Ongoing community engagement helped shift the mindset. rnBalancing aesthetics with function: The site still needs to accommodate waste-management access (for example, compost bins), so the design needed to ensure operational functionality wasn’t blocked by pathways or landscaping. rnMeasuring impact: Quantifying benefits (e.g., air-quality improvement, increased visitation, behavioural change in waste sorting) is more difficult than the visible transformation, but the agency is working to track metrics. Going forward: scaling the model Inspired by the success of the flower garden, DLH Bangko has plans to replicate the concept across the region: The next project involves building smaller “green pocket parks” on under-utilised land in various kelurahans (sub-districts), each linked to neighbourhood waste-sorting hubs. rnThere is also a plan to develop a community composting network integrated into these green spaces, thus turning organic waste into soil amendment for local planting. rnAnother ambition: a “green trail” connecting multiple parks, including the former TPSS garden, forming a walking/cycling path that encourages active transport and access to nature. rnOutreach efforts will include partnering with local schools and youth groups for “garden-adoption” programmes, where classes take responsibility for maintaining a small flower-bed and learn about waste, recycling, and biodiversity. Tips for other communities For other municipalities or environmental agencies considering a similar transformation, the DLH Bangko project offers useful guidelines:rnBegin with a vision that goes beyond waste management: Think about how the site can serve multiple functions (recreation, education, habitat). rnEngage community early: Consult residents about what they want, invite children’s input, and hold a launch event. Ownership brings care. rnPrioritise low-maintenance design: Choose plants adapted to local climate, invest in irrigation systems suited to local rainfall patterns, and create seating/pathways that are durable. rnIntegrate interpretive signage: Make the transformation transparent—explain the past, present, and future of the site so visitors understand the importance of the change. rnSecure a maintenance plan: Without ongoing upkeep, the early excitement will fade. Build in volunteer roles, horticultural service contracts, or community adoption. rnEnsure operational function still works: If the site previously served waste-management roles, the design must preserve practical access for collection or storage as needed. rnMonitor and communicate outcomes: Use visitor counts, survey resident satisfaction, track waste-sorting rates, and share results publicly to build legitimacy. rnPlan for scale: Consider how one successful site can become the first of a network, thus amplifying impact and encouraging a community-wide shift in mindset. Conclusion The transformation of the former TPSS into a flower garden by DLH Bangko is a story of vision, partnership, and sustainability. It shows how even infrastructure once associated with nuisance and waste can become a community asset—inviting families to stroll, children to learn, and the neighbourhood to take pride. In a time when municipalities face pressing waste-management challenges, the value of turning a liability into an amenity cannot be overstated. The garden is more than pretty flowers: it’s a statement that environmental management and public space creation can go hand in hand. As DLH Bangko proceeds to replicate the concept across the region, neighbouring agencies and communities can learn from the blueprint: a clear vision, community consultation, low-maintenance design, and a commitment to long-term upkeep. When executed well, the result is not just cleaner waste disposal—but greener, livelier public spaces and a more engaged citizenry.