Local activity as the elements for urban square revitalization

The condition of the Gajah Mada Square as public place on Jalan Gajah Mada Medan shows a decline in activity. The surrounding commercial area reduces the role of Gajah Mada Square as a center for public space. Simple facilities and infrastructure reduce the vitality of the square. Gajah Mada square is quite strategic because it has a strong place attachment potential. This study aims to reveal the place attachment of Gajah Mada square to be used in revitalization planning to increase the area’s land value (urban growth development). With explanatory descriptive qualitative method, identification and mapping of potential support activities in the Gajah Mada Square area was carried out, namely street vendors merchandize, mobile culinary stalls, sports activities, and the legendary durian fruit seller, Durian Ucok, has the potential to become a leading iconic place. These elements became the main directions for the revitalization themed “street linkage” in the form of clusters connected with the concepts of visual linkage and structural linkage. The results of this research and schematic design of the revitalization of Gajah Mada Square are expected to be useful as levers for economic activities in the surrounding environment and form the identity of the Medan Baru area.