Since the abrogration of presidential instruction number 14/1967 which banned chinese customs celebration and religion in public, there has been arevival in chinee festivals, language, art, media, culture and not in the least in the field of architecture and urban planning. With increasing interest in heritage and the support of the Indonesian goverment for heritage cities programees, sevral promising initiativies involving Chinese architecture have been launched in cities both large and small. A brief glance of the history of Chinese Indonesian architecture is given, as well as some recnet initiatives in selected cities olus a discussion of the importance of public space in accomanodating Chinese-festivals. Study of old maps and photograps prompts reflection on the characteristic and development of pecinan during the colonial era and of their later history. The analysis in this article and examples of recand developments in the citiess discussed can be used as an inpiration in the revitalization of pecinan, thereby contributing in a attracive andliveble urban environment.