UNDIP, Semarang (28/6) – Thousands of visitors crowded the Sikatak Bridge at Universitas Diponegoro on Sunday, June 28, 2026. The bustling atmosphere has become a familiar sight during the weekly Car Free Day (CFD) event held every Sunday morning at Sikatak Bridge on the UNDIP Tembalang Campus. The CFD program was initiated by students participating in the Thematic Community Service Program (KKN-T) at the Rusunawa UNDIP. The Rector of Universitas Diponegoro officially inaugurated it on October 20, 2024.
At the time of its launch, the Car Free Day program featured 100 participating vendors. Today, that number has doubled to 200 vendors. Most of the merchants and stall owners are residents of Tembalang. The program is implemented in collaboration with local neighborhood associations (RT/RW) and the Tembalang Village administration.
During a visit to the CFD event at Sikatak Bridge, Head of Tembalang Village, Asih Sri Windarti, S.T., highlighted the strong enthusiasm among visitors. “With the growing number of visitors and vendors, the village administration and organizing committee plan to reorganize the vendor layout to create a more comfortable experience for visitors,” she said.
Representing the organizing committee from Tembalang Village, Eko Sakti stated that the CFD at Sikatak Bridge has become one of the city’s most popular recreational destinations, attracting thousands of visitors every Sunday morning. “The CFD at Sikatak Bridge is the longest in Semarang City, stretching from the entrance of Sikatak Bridge to the UNDIP Cemetery area. Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of culinary offerings lined up from the northern end of the bridge to the southern end,” Eko explained.
“What makes it unique is that some of the vendors previously participated in CFD events at Setiabudi, Meteseh, and Simpang Lima. This fact demonstrates that the CFD at Sikatak Bridge has become a strong attraction for both sellers and thousands of visitors,” he added.
Since its inauguration by the Rector of UNDIP, the CFD program at Sikatak Bridge has been managed by the Tembalang Village administration.
The Car Free Day program at UNDIP’s Sikatak Bridge represents a tangible implementation of the impactful campus concept, in which higher education institutions not only carry out their functions in education, research, and community service but also contribute directly to local economic development.
The presence of hundreds of vendors provides promotional and marketing opportunities for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), including businesses in culinary products, creative industries, handicrafts, fashion, and various community services. The strong visitor turnout is expected to increase business revenues while expanding market reach for local entrepreneurs.
Through this initiative, Universitas Diponegoro catalyzes collaboration, bringing together academics, government agencies, business actors, communities, and the public in a productive public space. This approach aligns with the university’s vision of an impactful campus, positioning higher education institutions as agents of change that deliver tangible benefits to surrounding communities, particularly residents of Tembalang and nearby areas.
Beyond stimulating economic activity, the CFD at UNDIP’s Sikatak Bridge also features educational programs, sports activities, cultural and artistic performances, and entertainment for people from all walks of life. As a result, the Sikatak Bridge area has evolved into not only a recreational destination but also a hub for social interaction and creative economic development. This event reflects UNDIP’s tagline: “Noble and Valuable UNDIP.”
The CFD program at UNDIP’s Sikatak Bridge continues to support economic opportunities for residents of Tembalang and surrounding communities. It also contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. (Public Communication / UNDIP / Ut)
