Disney Imaginations 2015 – semifinalist

The project was conceived by the Rochester Institute of Technology Team and created for the 2015 Walt Disney Imagineering’s Imaginations Design Competition. This project is the sole property of Walt Disney Imagineering and all rights to use these ideas are exclusive to Walt Disney Imagineering. The competition is a way for students and recent graduates to showcase their talents and for Walt Disney Imagineering to identify new talent.

 Jakarta, Indonesia is one of the most populated cities in the world, and faces many challenges. To name a few, the bustling metropolitan city faces extreme traffic congestion and a lengthy rain season each year. This results in dramatic flooding, which affects millions of people. Millions of people commute from suburban areas of the city to work each day. Jakarta remains one of the few major cities without a rapid-transit system, and traveling just a few miles can take many hours. The existing layout of the city and lack of efficient public transport requires citizens to make use of private cars or motorcycles to move around, worsening the state of the already congested streets and roadways.

The combination of all rivers, wet season rains, and insufficient drainage due to pollution and clogging makes Jakarta susceptible to flooding. This inhibits the use of traditional land transportation. The city is known for its municipal pollution problem, which causes  water supply to be unfit for human consumption. What would it be like to have a rapid-transit system that not only moves people efficiently, but also provides
purified water
for the citizens of Jakarta?

Inspired by the rich and diverse culture of Jakarta, Indonesia, Along with fellow RIT students Melanie Spath, Aisha Iskanderani and Behrad Ghodsi;  an original story was created involving the different districts of the city and the characteristics that make them unique. In order for the system to work effectively, the districts must join together in harmony to achieve the desired result. The story provides a strong foundation that honors the city’s history, while creating awareness of sustainable design and alleviating the congested streets of the Indonesian capital. The result was Patah: a purifying transportation system. Patah; Indonesian for rain, water, or shower, is a multifaceted system that combines effective transportation, city unification, and traffic alleviation while revolutionizing the water system and supply. 

A network of stations placed in strategic areas throughout the city’s districts provide areas for rain water collection and repurposing of flood channel and river water. We have designed an eco-friendly system which includes hybrid tracks, combining maglev technology with hydropower, allowing transportation of people and water throughout the city.

Stimulated by iconic Indonesian history, the guest experience is based around the story of an ancient Banyan tree that represents the culture and vitality of Jakarta. A polluted environment and lack of unity have taken a toll on the ancient tree. Praba, a young and inquisitive boy, tries to understand the reasons behind it and looks for answers by consulting the wise elder in town, named Wibisono. Guests will be immersed in the middle of the story through the interior spaces of each station and trains in the system. Each district represents a different environment: fish, orchid, eagle and rice; inspired by iconic symbols and animals in Indonesian culture.

The main station in Central Jakarta will provide a chance to experience the complete journey of Praba, on his quest to restore the tree’s health.During train rides, transparent LCD windows will blur the lines of fantasy and reality, bringing elements of Praba’s adventures to life while passengers travel to their destination. Each district space provides an opportunity to live the journey, and be swept away by life size environments taken from the story.