History of Yogyakarta

The city of Yogyakarta is situated on Java Island, about 500 km southeast of Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia.As the capital of Yogyakarta Special Region Province, the city has about 32.5 km2 area with a total population in 2004 of around 398,004 and population density of 12,246.28/km2 (National Socio Economic Survey, 2004). The city of Yogyakarta has a long and rich history, documented in Indonesian literature. It was founded in 1755, when the Sultanate of Mataram, which had been in existence since the 8th century, was divided by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) under the Treaty of Giyanti into two parts: the Sultanate of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat, with Yogyakarta as its capital, and Surakarta Hadiningrat, with Surakarta as its capital. During the Indonesian National Revolution (1945-1950) Yogyakarta played an important role in countering  the aggression of the Dutch after World War II . As one of the ancient cities in Indonesia, the  spatial development of Yogyakarta can be traced from its ancient origins to the most recent developments [2].Kraton, or the Sultan's palace, is the centre of the citizens’ activities in the social political, spiritual and economical spheres. It has public squares in the North and the South and a mosque in the West (known as Kauman great mosque).There is also a traditional market nearby (later known as Beringharjomarket). During its development, the location of the kraton, which is at the centre of Yogyakarta, drove the sprawl of the city in a unique and ordered pattern. The Kraton became the cultural centre and in many ways influenced the values and traditions of the society. 

References :

1.   National Socio Economic Survey, 2004. Number of Population by Sex,  Urban-Rural and    Regency/City in D.I.Yogyakarta,  Available at: http://www.pemda-diy.go.id/

2.  Adrisijanti, I. (2007, April 11-12). Kota Yogyakarta Sebagai Kawasan Pusaka Budaya: Potensi dan Permasalahannya (The City of Yogyakarta as Cultural Heritage Region,  Potencies and Problems. Paper presented in Historical Discussion "Kota dan Perubahan Sosial dalam Perspektif Sejarah" (Cities and Social Changes in Historical Perspectives) . Yogyakarta: Bala Pelestarian Sejarah dan Nilai Traditional Yogyakarta (Centre of Yogyakarta Historic Preservation and Traditional Values).

3.  Sholihah, AB. (2005). The Role of Informal Street Activities in The Context of Urban Cultural Entity Case Study :  Malioboro Street, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Unpublished Master Thesis. Malaysia. UTM