Indonesian Study Tour

Assignment 1: Background Briefing Report

Land Use and Urbanisation
By: Matilda Kaveney
S2891872

Introduction

Indonesia is the forth most populous nation in the world comprising

of 203 million people spread across almost 1000 islands and includes up
to 300 different ethnic groups with individual languages and dialects
(Countries and their cultures, 2014). Indonesias predominant ethnicity is
Muslim and makes up approximately 86 per cent of the population
(National Geographic, 2015). Indonesia is recognised globally for exports
of palm oil and natural gasses that are threatening the environment and
localised communities (National Geographic, 2015). This document will
look specifically at Indonesias land use characteristics and urbanisation
patterns to assist in increasing the Griffith University Student Study Tour
Group 2015 knowledge about the region. Main topics addressed include
current and emergent levels of urbanisation due to rapid population
growth and the implications this has on land use specifically in the cities
of Jakarta and Bandung. Furthermore Indonesian land use patterns and
urbanised characteristics are discussed in regards to climate change and
the implications this may have on urbanised communities identifying the
lack of capacity for Indonesia to adapt to these changes.
Indonesia Approach
The succession of cities growth and prosperity is attributed to and
associated with levels of successful industrialisation and efforts of
sustainable urbanisation (Indonesias Urban Development, 2012).
Indonesia is one of the fastest growing countries in the Asian region
ranking faster than China, India, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam
(Indonesias Urban Development, 2012). The 2010 the census identified a
population growth increase from 203.5 million to 237.6 million over the
last decade indicating an urban population increase of 35.5 million people
(Jakarta Post, 2012). This indicates that approximately 50 per cent of the
Indonesian population is urbanised and approximately 68 per cent of the
population reside on the main island of Java (Jakarta Post, 2012). It is
suggested that rapid urbanisation has been greatly fueled by foreign and
domestic investments particularly in cities such as Jakarta, Surabaya,
Bandung and Medan (Jakarta Post, 2012). Over the last 30 years Indonesia
has experienced large land use changes associated with rapid population
growth and urbanisation causing high levels of deforestation that have
greatly altered tropical regions (Remondi, Burlando & Vollmer, 2015).
Australia and particularly the Gold Coast is currently experiencing similar
constraints and issues with rapid population growth and environmental
protection. The island of Java is populated by 130 million people and
continues to grow at exponential speeds. Furthermore there are
reasonable levels of confusion associated with estimating levels or
urbanised populations as these cities have been described as belt cities
that interconnect in a range of ways including industrial connections,
economic ties and agricultural activities (Jakarta Post, 2012). This
confusion is associated with the blurred distinction between urban and
rural regions from physical and socioeconomically perspectives resulting
in inaccurate urbanised data (Jakarta Post, 2012).

Land Use and Urbanisation

Matilda Kaveney ID: S2891872

Jakarta
Metropolitan expansion in Jakarta has been fuelled by effects of
globalisation from inflows of industrial and financial capital for the major
city of Indonesia (Goldblum & Wong, 2000; Remondi, Burlando & Vollmer,
2015). Tokairin, Sofyan and Kitada (2010) explain that rapid urbanisation
has many consequences for the capital city of Jakarta particularly when
associated with land use change modifying the localised climate. Studies
have identified that new urbanisation has changed the natural passive
cooling systems from ocean breezes increasing temperature and allowed
pollution build up (Tokairin, Sofyan & Kitada, 2010). Due to rapid
urbanisation a permanent urbanised connection between the major cities
of Jakarta and Bandung have created a belt stretching over 200 kilometres
long (Jakarta Post, 2010). This belt is described as the formation of a
mega-urban region that consists of a mixture of interconnecting uses
contrasting rural and urban activities (Jakarta Post, 2010). However the
most notable statistics from recent census data indicates that population
growth within metropolitan areas have significantly reduced whereas
adjacent areas have significantly increased in migratory populations
(Jakarta Post, 2010). This is one attribute that is fueling rapid urban
sprawl into surrounding areas of Jakarta and Bandung creating the 200
kilometre city not unlike the 200 kilometre city South East Queensland is
currently trying to maintain (Jakarta Post, 2010). The development of the
Jakarta Bandung Region and its expansion of socioeconomic activities has
unfortunately resulted in a number or environmental problems
threatening localised ecosystems, species, water pollution and
groundwater extraction and air quality (Jakarta Post, 2010).
Bandung
The JakartaBandung Regions external communities are dependant
socioeconomically on either or both main cities (Jakarta Post, 2010). There
is scepticism about these cities progressing from single core cities to multi
core cities. This does however present a range of issues for surrounding
land use, which remains and will progress to be Indonesias main cities
biggest battle (Firman, 2009). A study conducted in the early 1900s
discovered the physical integration of urban areas originating from
different cities forming an urban belt (Firman, 2009). The characteristics of
these areas are quite complex as there is no definition between rural,
industrial, trade and residential areas resulting in distinct settlement
patterns (Firman, 2009). Is this perhaps third world mixed use, not
required to travel long distances for food, services or family? Or as
professional planners will we determine this has resulted due to a lack of
planning? In such cities as Bandung Firman (2009) explains that there are
positives to this form of urbanisation identifying urbanised economies

Land Use and Urbanisation

Matilda Kaveney ID: S2891872

outlining local infrastructure and utilities and a positive concentration or

multi-skilled labourers condensed within each community. There are
several factors that can be credited towards mega-urbanisation of this
region including large-scale housing, infrastructure and industrial
development (Firman, 2009).
Climate Change
Indonesias land use structures and urbanisation patterns are
unsustainable and are causing major implications in regards to
contributing to the effects of climate change. Indonesia is the third largest
greenhouse gas emitter in the world not due to fossil fuels but to the
extent of major clearing and burning of forests and tropical swamps
(Climate and Land Use Alliance, (CLUA) 2013). Drainage, burning and
agricultural development on tropical swamps alone account for
approximately half of the greenhouse emissions produced in Indonesia
(CLUA, 2013 Noordwijk;, Agus, Dewi & Purnomo, 2013). There are some
major concerns associated with the clearing of these natural environments
aside from contributing to climate change including the levels of
dependency of more than thirty thousand villages on forests for their
livelihoods (CLUA, 2013). It is discussed that the small benefits from
clearing, such as the productions of palm oil and paper, have minimal
benefit to the communities the resources are removed from (CLUA, 2013).
As a result the Indonesian Government has identified the nature of
negative resource depletion and recognised the collective rights of
dependant locals and are aiming to invest in sustainability, intensification,
capacity building and technical assistance (CLUA, 2013).
Noordwijk, Agus, Dewi and Purnomo (2013) agree that the
derivatives of land-based emissions in Indonesia are those from forest
clearing and agricultural activities. The land use structure of Indonesian
islands indicate the reasons behind greenhouse gas contributions to our
planets atmosphere identifying the largest area of tropical peat and the
third-largest tropical rainforest in the world that covers 70 per cent of the
countrys land mass (Noordwijk, Agus, Dewi & Purnomo, 2013). The
Indonesian Forests Climate Alliance (IFCA) identified five major challenges
Indonesia is facing in regards to these activities including, scope and
forest definition, ownership and tenurial rights, multiplicity and
interconnectedness for drivers, peatland issues across forest and nonforest land categories and, fairness and efficiency of distributed
mechanisms and regeneration phases (Noordwijk, Agus, Dewi & Purnomo,
2013).
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has already
identified the vulnerability of Indonesias ecosystems and developing
urbanised characteristics in relation to climate changing effects (Purnomo,
Herawati & Santoso, 2010). The IPCC defines this vulnerability through
high levels of exposure, sensitivity and the lack of capacity to adapt to
climate change (Purnomo, Herawati & Santoso, 2010). Another major

Land Use and Urbanisation

Matilda Kaveney ID: S2891872

implication limiting Indonesias ability to adapt to climate change is its

location in the Pacific Ring of Fire where four major tectonic plates adjoin
(Siagian, Purhadi, Suhartono & Ritonga, 2012). These fixed locational
characteristics identify major social vulnerability to natural hazards
particularly in megacities such as Jakarta and Bandung. These natural
hazards including urban flooding, urban coastal erosion, land subsidence,
landslides, fires and tropical hazards are predicted to worsen over the
coming decades threatening major areas of Javas urbanised community
(AUC, 2016; Siagian, Purhadi, Suhartono & Ritonga, 2012).
The Climate and Land Use Alliance has developed an Indonesian
Initiative from 2013 to 2016 identifying Strategic Focuses and Priorities
(SFP, 2013).
The document aims are to ensure the potential and
importance of forested and agricultural landscapes are recognised (SFP,
2013). It outlines guidelines to policies and practices to ensure land use
practices are cost effective, sustainable, provide localised jobs, improve
livelihoods and provide environmental and social benefits including
biodiversity protection (SFP, 2013). The CLUA works as a form of
international sustainability providing effective global initiative to be
implemented in areas of need, most commonly third world countries (SFP,
2013). Unfortunately the CLUA faces complications due to the global scale
but outlines that the negotiations undertaken through the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) progress at a rate to
slow for optimum benefits (SFP, 2013). The CLUA argues that the
movement for the UNFCCC to stabilise greenhouse gas emissions within
the earths atmosphere by reducing interference is more specifically
related to land use related activities (SFP, 2013). The SFPs main purpose
is to provide an alternative avenue to the UNFCCC that is specifically
beneficial to the location of implemented activities, not for developed
countries to remain within emission targets.
Recommendations
There are a few recommendations that can be made to ensure
Indonesian cities are more prepared for the future including effectively
allocation suitable land use to prepare for climate change. This could
include developing a city plan for major city centres and ensuring specific
areas are developed in a way that helps stabilise the community.
Developing restrictions on deforestation and clearing and providing
plantation programs to restore damage. Indonesian cities could
additionally integrate green spaces and vegetation throughout the
urbanised regions to assist with passive cooling and encourage safe
outdoor activities. Perhaps programs can initiate from previously
mentioned organisations to stabilise these communities through
developing clean energy programs and sustainable building practices.
Conclusion

Land Use and Urbanisation

Matilda Kaveney ID: S2891872

Indonesia is facing huge challenges associated with population

growth, land use allocations, urbanisation and climate change. Due to its
third world characteristics and status these challenges are even greater
due to a lack of knowledge, equipment and technologies to assist this
country in progressing towards a sustainable future. Regrettably this has
resulting in severe impacts threatening the livelihood of all Indonesians.
Fortunately there are international organisations heavily invested in
turning these issues around for Indonesia through the implementation of
emission reduction projects through the UNFCCC, the development of
strategic focuses and priorities for the country through CLUA, and the
global initiatives to reduce levels of greenhouse gas concentrations within
the earths atmosphere. Indonesia is already ahead of other developing
countries as problems have been recognised leading to approaches and
changes starting to develop.

References
Climate and Land Use Alliance (CLUA) 2013, Cultivating Solutions for
People and the Planet, Available online:
<http://www.climateandlandusealliance.org/en/places-en/indonesiaen/indonesia-initiative-overview-en/>.
Climate and Land Use Alliance, 2013, Strategic Focus and Priorities:
Indonesian Initiative 2013-2016, Published in San Francisco,
California.
Countries and their Cultures 2014, Indonesia, Available Online: <
http://www.everyculture.com/Ge-It/Indonesia.html>.
FIrman, T. 2009, The continuity and change in mega-urbanisation in
Indonesia: A survey of Jakarta-Bandung Region (JBR) development,
Habitat International, vol. 33, no. 1, pp. 327-39.
Goldblum, C., & Wong. T. 2000, Growth, crisis and spatial change: a study
of haphazard urbanisation in Jakarta, Indonesia, Land Use Policy, vol.
17, no. 5, pp. 29-37.

Land Use and Urbanisation

Matilda Kaveney ID: S2891872

Indonesias Urban Development 2012, Towards Inclusive and Sustainable

Economic Growth, By Taimur Samad, Published 19th September
2012.
Jakarta Post, 2012, Urbanisation and Urban Development Patterns, By
Tommy Firman, Published online at:
<http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/05/12/urbanization-andurban-development-patterns.html>.
Jakarta Post 2010, Mega-urbanisation of Jakarta-Bandung Region;, By
Tommy Firman, Published online at:
<http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/06/26/megaurbanizatio
n-jakartabandung-region.html>.
Noordwijk, M., Agus, F., Dewi, S. & Purnomo, H. 2013, Reducing emissions
from land use in Indonesia: motivation, policy instruments and
expected funding streams, Mitigation and Adaptation Strategy to
Globalised Climate Change, vol. 19, no. 1, 667-692.
Purnomo, H., Herawati, H., & Santosa, H. 2011, Indicators for assessing
Indonesias Javan rhino National Park vulnerability to climate
change, Mitigation and Adaptation Strategy to Globalised Climate
Change, vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 733-47.
Remondi, F., Burlando, P., & Vollmer, D. 2015, Exploring the hydrological
impact of increasing urbanisation on a tropical river catchment of
the metropolitan Jakarta, Indonesia, Sustainable Cities and Society,
online only.
Siagian, T., Purhadi, P., Suhartono, S., & Ritonga, H. 2012, Social
velnerability to natural hazards in Indonesia driving factors and
policy implications, Natural Hazards, vol. 70, no. 4, pp. 1603-17.
Tokairin, T., Sofyan, A., & Kitada, T. 2010, Effect of land use changes on
local meteorologicl conditions in Jakarts, Indonesia: toward the
evaluation of the thermal environment of megacities in Asia,
International Journal of Climatology, vol. 30, no. 8, pp. 1931-41.

Land Use and Urbanisation

Matilda Kaveney ID: S2891872