As this is rather difficult to describe what in fact became an icon of Medan. Unlike in some twenty years ago, the city of Medan never got a nickname as "Paris van Sumatra", referring to one of the famous cities in Europe.
The nickname was given because it has a specific field and attractiveness as a city that not only go forward and represent a civilization (read: colonial) that is reflected in those days, but also thick with the feel of a city deeply appreciate the culture and diversity, and display spatial slick.

The physical development of the city of Medan in the late 19th century to early 20th century many buildings which are characterized by European and Asian style. So that the building that stood in Medan, particularly European-style found in many of which were built by the Dutch colonial government. Transportation medium cities that have not been so solid, making quite beautiful city with sufficient open space for residents and drainage facilities are well maintained so that the city spared from the onslaught of flood, like today.

Field development into a city can not be separated from the tobacco plantations in the vicinity. This is the attraction that pushed him develop into a regional trade and industry. Since being allowed Nienhuys by Sultan (in year 1870) to open a tobacco plantation in the area around Medan Medan City then began the development to follow as there are cities in Europe. Some areas to witness history and to this day still stands in the form of European and Asian-style buildings located in areas Kesawan, City Hall and the Esplanade (Independence Square which is now used as the Merdeka Walk), which is located in downtown Medan.

Trace of historical data, the region is the forerunner Kesawan formerly the founding city of Medan, who connected from the local area Kesawan to Labuhan Deli. In the early 19th century urban development becomes so rapid field marked by numerous infra sturuktur built at that time. In 1880 many new buildings stand the look of European-style architecture (art deco).

Recorded in 1885 and 1887 the existing railway lines and railway stations built in the city of Medan; its location adjacent to the Esplanade (or Merdeka Square Merdeka Walk today). Infra-structure development was then followed by the construction of facilities such as Hotel De Boer, and Bank Java .. Construction of Hotel De Boer was built in 1889, and the hotel became known to Europe because of the luxury and beauty at the time. In addition to railway companies, hotels, and golf Esplanade (Freedom Walk today) and various office buildings the company built around the Esplanade.

Medan became the center of the development of trade and industry caused the development of the region as a forerunner Kesawan Medan today. Furthermore, the city is visited by more and more immigrants from China, India, and Europe. China comes to Medan Nation they became middlemen between native people by European businessmen. Indian Nations came as workers (contract) working on tobacco plantations owned by Europeans. So far can trace their existence in this field. Like the people of China (Tionghoa) domiciled in the vicinity of their many Kesawan and surrounding area are opening their Indian village called Kampung Keling or Kampung Madras. Maps of ethnic distribution in the increasingly crowded field, often with many migrants from the area around Medan. Until finally it became a multiethnic city.

Kesawan, Esplanade, and City Hall Medan
Restructure the Regions Kesawan and Esplanade (or Merdeka Square Merdeka Walk today) and the City Hall of Medan City will restore the figure that has appeal as a city with character. Kesawan Regions also deserve to be promoted to the Old City of Medan (the old city) to remember the value of history and its role in the past and re-creating the Medan City Hall will become an attraction for the city of Medan. Unfortunately, the existence of the current City Hall which was situated alongside the Grand Hotel Aston tends more and more elitist and hard to say as a populist and City Hall together with the citizens of the city.

Medan city development policies in the past, has placed the region Kesawan into one package with the Esplanade Square area (Freedom Walk today). Where in addition to the construction of the buildings also provided a beautiful open land and planted trees to be enjoyed by the citizens of the City. This is in contrast with the policy of development existing Medan this center, which is fully oriented to the development of shopping centers such as malls, plazas, hotels and office buildings rise.

Esplanade Area (Ex Independence Square), which has changed its name to Freedom Walk; when this condition has made some areas of the food business center and also entertainment. This by itself would be the more narrow the public space for citizens who want to get to the green open spaces and beautiful. Medan spatial increasingly undemocratic emphasize that even on the contrary there are many contradictions. The legend says that this area is the zero point of Medan.

Views Kesawan area now is not very neat as well as impressed chaotic. Yet here there are a number of historic buildings that still stand strong. In this area we also have the Government Office of Tourism Office. The presence of Government Offices in this region really is unusual, because the former in this area is not built for an office location. Development undertaken in the region were impressed Kesawan see only from the economic side of it but did not see the value of the aesthetic, socio-culture, history and so forth. As the number of banner ads and pamphlets advertising across the street Kesawan. Construction of drainage and ditch any potluck so impressed is feared the floods during the rainy season. Even in some corners of the ditch and corner of the building spread fragrance odor. This is partly in the area of environmental portrait Kesawan today.

Several years ago, Pemko Medan issued a policy and make the area Kesawan hawker center at night, which was then known by the name Kesawan Square .. However, when this hawker center was closed with no apparent reason. Along with the opening of Square Kesawan government also gave permission for the opening of the hawker center at Merdeka Square area, which later became the Merdeka Walk. Besides food in this area is also provided musical entertainment stage ready to entertain the visitors. In the development hawker center in the region while the Merdeka Walk survive Kesawan Square did not last long because it was unable to compete with existing food court in the Freedom Walk.

City Hall, Esplanade or Kesawan and Merdeka Square (Freedom Walk today) have the potential to be developed and made icons of Medan. These three areas are important parts of the city of Medan both past, present and future. The third in this region should apply area car free day (vehicle free zone) at certain times .. This policy will certainly help restore the condition of air pollution Medan from motor vehicle fumes. Medan mayor candidates elected should give serious attention to this problem and rebuild a cleaner Medan, cultured, and can be owned by all citizens of the city.

Hope

Making the area as a region Kesawan pedestrian (pedestrian) so that the public or the public can understand and recognize closer historically valuable buildings and cultural events which by itself would attract tourists to visit this city. In addition, the region is also very fitting Kesawan if used as "The Old City (Old City) to Medan Medan as well as icons.

Reuse (re-use) historic buildings in the city of Medan with the stipulation that the reuse of buildings of architectural originality not to remove the building, because this is precisely the location or the economic attractiveness of the building when it will be used again.

The presence of City Hall is very important for the citizens of the city and can be used as a hall of people that could be used for a gathering place and express my creativity and potential of its citizens. It's time to enforce the area car free day (free day kendraan motor) in the region Kesawan, City Hall and the Esplanade at certain times so that citizens can feel the freshness of the air and the benefits of existing public spaces in this area.

Translated from : http://www.analisadaily.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61539:mencari-ikon-kota-medan&catid=78:umum&Itemid=139