“When left alone, the nature eventually takes over.” This is
what happens to the circular road right at the toe of Cristo Rei’s statue hill.
The road was progressively damaged by waves. I remember the first damage occurred
years back. It was just news without intervention until the road paralyzed and is totally out of service. Ever since the road had not been in use and impassable
by cars.
Some people complained for this long abandoned road never
came back to open because it could be an alternative route for them to go to Hera,
and on to the East side of the country. Dili residents similarly have limited
options to go farther of the coast line of Cristo Rei. They have to park the
cars in the other side and then walk to Dolok Oan.
The abandoned road has shaped a new character and serves new
functions. Trees and grass have outgrown
the used to be asphalt and concrete surface. The trees getting taller and the
grass getting thicker in the rainy season. It is a new space for birds, and
other animals to live in. The sound or birds quite relaxing; while walking, you
could also see the sunlight shines through the tree canopy. This has shaped a
new character of this area as before.
This nature-shaped character made the road is not for cars
anymore but people. People go there for jogging. It is a place to go farther if
you want to be alone; it also becomes a fishing spot. Locals and even
foreigners go there for fishing, both day and night times. The road severs the new
functions.
Since the abandoned road could also provide benefits for the environment, and the people, what do you think that this place should be for? to restore the function by rehabbing the road to bring back the cars or Keep as it is now for people to enjoy the nature, and their leisure time? I will leave it for you to answer if you are from Dili.
** Hope this gives you and inspiration
