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Time really flies. It feels like we were celebrating the coming of 2011 just yesterday.

For many, the new year is a time of reflection, as we consider what the next 12 months will bring. This year, our beloved city of Jakarta, home to some 10 million people, has seen its ups and downs. But despite all of its problems, this is home. As concerned citizens, we all hope that the city will improve in the next year.

The Jakarta Globe spoke to some of the capital’s residents to find out their hopes and wishes for the city in 2012.

Vidya Hutagalung, 25, school teacher

“I simply wish Jakarta will be better than before.”

As someone who uses public transportation almost every day, Vidya said that the city administration needs to improve the quality of the city’s buses.

“I really hope that the buses in this city will become more friendly to commuters, especially women. If they can make it happen, I’m sure there will be more people who will use public transportation rather than private vehicles,” she said.

“We really need to reduce the number of private vehicles in this city, because the traffic has become so much worse.”

Although she admits that she goes to a mall almost every weekend, Vidya thinks that the city has more than enough malls.

“The construction of shopping centers must be stopped. I don’t think Jakarta needs any more,” she said, adding that the city also has too many modern mini-markets.

“What the people of this city need are more public parks.”

When it comes to public projects, Vidya said she would also like to see more flood prevention projects in the city.

“And because we’ve seen so much sectarian conflict in the last few years, I think we need to encourage more constructive dialogue between people of different backgrounds,” she said.

“Oh and one more thing, the museums need to be improved, so that our children can learn about history and culture.”

Rizky Pradita Ananda, 23, bank employee

“My wishes for Jakarta in 2012 are very simple.”

Rizky, who commutes daily on the TransJakarta busway, hopes that the city’s public transportation system can be improved. “I hope next year, the city administration can add more TransJakarta buses so that people don’t need to wait in line for hours.”

Just like millions of other Jakarta residents, Rizky fears that the city will experience severe flooding in 2012, as many experts are predicting.

“I really hope that next year we don’t have to deal with flooding anymore,” she said. “I dream that one day the people of Jakarta will actually enjoy the rain.”

She added that having more public parks would greatly benefit Jakarta’s millions of residents.

“The people of Jakarta need to be more courteous next year. I’ve seen everywhere how people can’t respect others or the environment,” she said.

“We need to realize that this is our home and we have to take good care of it. Instead of focusing on themselves, perhaps it’s time city officials educate the younger generation to be responsible citizens.”

Bayu Jolim, 31, entrepreneur and photographer

“I want more rock concerts in this city.”

“There have been so many music concerts in the capital this year, but most of them featured pop bands with cheesy songs,” he said. “I think it’s time that the city’s rock fans have some fun.

“The people of Jakarta need to stop complaining and start doing something to make the city better. I get tired of hearing people around me complaining about everything in this city,” he said. “If they don’t like living here, then they should simply consider living elsewhere.”

Bayu, who’s involved in a number of social communities, said it’s time for the younger generation to take action and stop relying on city officials and politicians.

“We all know that the city officials are good at breaking promises, so it’s time for young people to retake control,” he said. “Don’t expect politicians to solve Jakarta’s problems. It’s better for us to unite and start doing good for the city.”

Bayu also said that the city needs to make bicycle-friendly lanes available at least one day a week.

“I know that many cities in the world have started designating bicycle lanes for their residents in order to reduce pollution,” he said. “I think we should also do that here in Jakarta.”

Vanny Widiana , 30, marketing officer

“In 2012, I hope there won’t be any rape cases in this city.”

“The city should be able to guarantee the safety of its people, especially the security of women,” Vanny said.

Vanny added that she hopes the city administration will improve the quality of life in Jakarta by expanding green public spaces and adding more parks.

“I think we can make this dream come true if people in this city unite and come up with ways to help the city administration,” she said, adding that constantly criticizing city officials doesn’t help improve the situation.

“The first step to make that happen would be to clean up the dirty rivers that we have around the capital,” she said.

“I’ve learned from history books that these rivers were once clean and beautiful. So I think it is possible they can be that way again.”

Hadi Pri Hananto, 29, human resources consultant

“I think a great city is one that makes its people happy.”

Hadi loves walking and enjoying the fresh air so he hopes that the city administration will fix the sidewalks in Jakarta.

“When I travel to foreign cities, I really like walking on the sidewalks,” he said. “In Jakarta, we can only do that in [Jalans] Thamrin and Sudirman. It’s a shame,” he said.

“It’s not only the sidewalks. The administration also needs to improve the quality of our foot bridges. As we all know, most of our foot bridges are in poor condition. Then we have to contend with the street vendors who illegally occupy these bridges.”

As a human resources consultant, Hadi believes that the people of Jakarta need to be more respectful of each other. Law enforcement is key, he said.

“We need to teach those irresponsible people a lesson. We have to let them know that this city doesn’t need people like them,” he said. “The administration has to punish those who litter or vandalize street signs.”

Like many other people, Hadi thinks that the Big Durian already has more than enough shopping centers. He wants to see more green spaces in Jakarta.

Reducing poverty is also a big concern.

“I think it’s also important that Jakarta reduce the number of street beggars, especially child beggars,” he said. “All children are entitled to free education, including those children on the street.”