Revitalization of Kraton District in Cirebon West Java – Indonesia Basauli Umar Lubis Department of Architecture Institut Teknologi Bandung The city of Cirebon is known as the city of Palace with the presence of the four Kraton : Kraton Kasepuhan, Kraton Kanoman, Kraton Kacirebonan and Kraton Kaprabonan. The palaces of Cirebon form a distinctive architectural heritage site. Cirebon was founded by Sunan Gunung Jati. Islamic heritage in Cirebon and the spread of Islam was the result of trade through places such as Samudra Pasai, Malacca, Demak, Gresik and Tuban. The rulers were strong religious authorities. Formerly, the district where the four Kratons are located was the city center of Cirebon, where the civic center and commercial activity took place. The Kratons are relatively close each other, connecting by small lanes. Between the Kratons are small villages – homes to the Kraton retainers and their families. Kraton Kaprabonan situated in Lemahwungkuk Street, the one-time Pesantren (school of Islamic Studies) was originally the residence of Prince Raja Adipati Kaprabonan. Founded in 1702, its function was to spread the teaching of Islam especially to decendants of the Royal families. Kraton Kanoman the second largest kraton in Cirebon was built in the 17 th century, when the Sultanate Cirebon was split into two governing principalities, as part of the result of political action during Dutch domination, and Kraton Kacirebonan is the latest of all the Kratons. This small Kraton is the residence of Sultan Kacirebonan. The most important palace in Cirebon , the Kraton Kasepuhan , was built at the end of the sixteenth century but underwent numerous changes later; it occupies just in the middle part of an enormous surrounding it. Its plan is quite chaotic, with several enclosures in juxtaposition. To the north is the large square, but there is no symetrically placed square to the south called. Kraton kasepuhan was constructed during the reign of Sunan Gunung Jati , it was completed in 1480 and is one of the oldest existing Islamic structures in Java. In front of the kasepuhan is the town square called ‘alun alun’, bordered on the West side by the ‘Mesjid Agung’ or Great Mosque. Modern Cirebon is a living city, in the last decade commercial activity has changed across city of Cirebon. Among the causes for this change are profound and violent transformation in the economic, social and locational context in which both retailer and consumer operate. These changes involve new forms of commercial development, such as shopping centres and hypermarkets built in locations far enough from the traditional shopping district. The Kraton district as the core activity of the city suffering the decline in the market share of commercial activities. There is a need to revitalize the Kraton district. The City center revitalization program aims to develop a comprehensive revitalization strategy to stimulate economic development within the context of historic preservation. There are two approaches to regeneration through property development. The first is concentrates on restoring confidence to revitalize the competitive position of an urban area with sound economy or one with the potential for indegineous regeneration. The intention is to attract inward investment that will support rather than displace existing business and residents. The second approach seeks to build new confidence through economic restructuring in an area where the economy is in decline. By conversion or redevelopment new space created which can occupied by different economic activities. These two approaches leading to the idea of ‘quality tourism’ which emphasis using historic buildings, sites and district, along with traditional cultures or events as a basis of encouraging tourism, promoting growth and establishing a greater sense of cultural pride among local inhabitants. The relationship between quality tourism and preservation also can be considered within the broader framework. The new activities and development have a role in assuring a vital and viable future of the Kraton district.