KAJIAN PUSAT INFORMASI DAN KOMUNIKASI BUDAYA KALIMANTAN TENGAH PADA KAWASAN WATERFRONT SUNGAI KAHAYAN DI PALANGKA RAYA

Abstract

Central Kalimantan possesses rich Dayak cultural heritage encompassing tangible culture, intangible culture, and cultural activities. However, cultural and tourism information remains distributed across various media, institutions, museums, and temporary events. This study was conducted at the Kahayan River Waterfront in Pahandut Subdistrict, Palangka Raya City, to analyze the cultural potential of Central Kalimantan, the role of cultural events as communication media, the tourism potential of Palangka Raya, and the facility requirements for a Cultural Information and Communication Center. A qualitative descriptive-analytical approach was applied through literature review, field observation, documentation, document study, interviews, and a user-needs questionnaire. The results show that 89.5% of respondents considered Palangka Raya to need a Cultural Information and Communication Center, while 94.7% considered the facility capable of improving tourism promotion. The most prioritized facility was a cultural gallery (100%), followed by a cultural library (68.4%) and a tourism information center (63.2%). These findings indicate the need for a permanent and integrated facility combining information, education, promotion, cultural preservation, and community interaction. The Kahayan River Waterfront is considered a strategic location due to its historical value, accessibility, proximity to urban activities, and waterfront character that supports the development of a cultural information center.