The City Is Not Broken: Land, Debt, and the Logic of Urban Form in Indonesia

Written with the assistance of an AI

A

INTRODUCTION

Colonialism happened in America, Africa, and Asia but they did not take a single uniform shape; it adapted to local ecologies, demography, and economic opportunity.

In the Americas, European expansion produced plantation economies and the trans-Atlantic slave trade; in parts of Africa and the Indian Ocean world colonialism consolidated systems of large-scale servitude tied to maritime commerce; in much of Southeast Asia, by contrast, widespread hereditary slavery did not become the dominant regime—instead a variety of labor and land relations persisted (debt bondage, forced-labor, household servitude, tenant systems) that fit different ecological and political constraints.

The reason for these divergent outcomes is not cultural accident but selection: dominant actors choose the extraction mechanism that yields the highest surplus at the lowest political and logistical resistance under given conditions. Seen this way, the broad form of a society—its political institutions, labor regimes, and spatial arrangements—is a material expression of what secures surplus for the dominant class in that historical moment.

Manufacturing Demand: Urban Growth, Financialized Land, and the Misreading of Housing Needs in Jabodetabek

Written with the assistance of an AI

Introduction: When Growth Stops Explaining Itself

Urban growth in the Jabodetabek metropolitan region is often presented as an inevitable response to demand. Rising populations, household formation, and economic expansion are assumed to naturally translate into the proliferation of new towns, gated communities, and peripheral housing estates. Development, in this narrative, is not only necessary but self-justifying: if units are built and sold, demand must exist.

Yet beneath this apparent progress lies a persistent contradiction.

Housing affordability remains out of reach for large segments of median-income households and housing backogs remain large. Long commutes, spatial fragmentation, and underutilized urban areas coexist with relentless outward expansion. The volume of development continues to increase, while fundamental housing and spatial needs remain unresolved.

This article argues that this contradiction is not accidental. In Jabodetabek, urban growth is increasingly shaped by a feedback loop between financialized land and property markets, policy frameworks that incentivize asset ownership, and developer strategies that rationally respond to these incentives. Within this system, urban planning and development function less as mechanisms to meet functional socio-economic needs, and more as instruments that stabilize and legitimize investment-driven urbanization - resulting in the systematic production of urban space that manufactures demand while leaving core needs unmet.

Map of Why: Ugly River Side of Jakarta

This article will be a simple causality exploration of why (some) public spaces in Jakarta are (still) ugly, in this case the river.

Common discussions on the theme tend to be too simplistic to the level of condescending and fatalistic, it's not giving any clue to what can be done to improve the situation. In this discussion we are trying a more thorough causality exploration on why (some) public spaces in Jakarta are (still) ugly. We will take river side of Jakarta as an example.

The river is ugly because the river is treated as dumpster because the river is seen as backyard because the river is ugly, or vice versa, it brings us nowhere.

Cycling as First Mile in Jakarta through Secondary & Tertiary Roads

This writing is triggered by an article that was written by a colleague of mine, Daniel Caesar Pratama: Considering Cycling as A Mode of Commuting in Jakarta: A GIS Analysis Exercise.

He used GIS to do spatial analyses to show that when we integrate cycling infrastructure with mass transit system in Jakarta, the coverage area of the mass transit will be increased to 80%. The summary points from his article were:

• Cycling has a huge potential to be a sustainable, resilient, affordable and robust mode of transportation.
• Cycling is best positioned as the first-mile last-mile solution rather than as the main transportation system.
• Cycling as transportation should be done leisurely and comfortable, therefore 4 km (5–15 minutes of cycling) from transit to destination is preferable.
• By optimizing cycling infrastructures to cater the cycling radius below 4km, cycling should not compete with online taxi bikes nor walking.
• Integrating cycling with the mass transit such as MRT, KRL, and TransJakarta increases their service area to cover 80% of Jakarta.
• Cycling infrastructures should be prioritized to be integrated into stations that serve the most populated and are able to reach the most destinations.
• By utilizing GIS spatial analysis, we can create a powerful tool to have better-informed decisions about the shaping of our city.

Following that article, Daniel, together with Adam Nurilman – his old friend, and Urban+ Institute held a series of workshops to explore the idea, in partnership with XDS Lab and Somia CX. I had the opportunity to join one of the workshop sessions as team member of the first team. In this writing I'll try to elaborate and structure a bit more the idea that I submitted to the workshop.

The Problem

I am not a commuter cyclist, so when the workshop put forth a question of how to make cycling be more possible for first and last mile transportation mode in Jakarta, integrated with transit system (such as BRT, LRT, MRT, and/or Commuter Line), the first thing that I did was to imagine how would it felt like to cycle (especially) the first mile of commuting in Jakarta – from home to the nearest or strategic transit point. Let’s examine the underlying situation.

In general, Jakarta is a very cluster-fragmented city. Though most of the neighborhoods are not exactly clusters by definition, but most of the neighborhoods are arranged like an almost closed circuit with minimal accessibility, with labyrinth-like road network, and some (many) times are located inside or in-between yet another clustered neighborhoods. Though it might not be relevant to this discussion, the reason for that condition might be single use (residential) zoning system that are still being implemented up until today.

Urban, Suburban, dan Rural

Di Indonesia, khususnya di Jakarta dan wilayah sekitarnya, orang tergila-gila pada kepemilikan privat atas ruang, atau properti privat dalam bentuk tanah.

Meskipun secara historis dan geografis sangat berbeda, ketergila-gilaan tersebut mirip dengan apa yang terjadi di Amerika Serikat. Perbedaannya, di sana hal tersebut memang dengan sengaja diadakan sejak awal kemerdekaannya dari Inggris. Thomas Jefferson membagi tanah di seantero negara tersebut ke dalam grid-grid yang dapat dibeli dan dimiliki oleh pihak privat, dengan argumentasi bahwa kepemilikan akan tanah akan menjamin demokrasi. Tetapi secara politik-ekonomi, menjual kepemilikan privat atas tanah adalah untuk mengisi kas negara, juga untuk menghidupi perekonomian agraris di masa itu, dan sebagai daya tarik utama bagi para imigran dari benua Eropa, sekaligus sebagai akar dari terbitnya patriotisme.

The Language of Jakartan Car Passing

In Jakarta, car drivers love to change lanes incessantly and tries to overtake other vehicles on the road. They do it to the point of breaking the law and sacrificing the safety of theirselves and others.

Even sicker, some of them do it with very lack of manner. They'll pass the other car in a very thin distance, or immediately put themselves sharply in front of the passed car, or doing it while honking dramatically.

Batavia Series: 1. The Establishment

In The Batavia Series we will use historical maps to explore the spatial developments of Indonesian capital, Jakarta, from its founding as Batavia by VOC, its spreading, the fall of VOC and the reign of Dutch East Indies Colony, until its transfer to the Indonesian Republic. The series will be consisted of several parts based on the development phases of the city.

Note: The historical maps are superimposed to the contextual map of 2017, while larger view of the superimposed maps can be seen at the end of each of the series. For the early series (year 1600s and early 1700s), we will use only the northern part of Jakarta as the contextual map.

Batavia was not erected on an empty ground. In the 4th century, the site was part of Tarumanagara Kingdom, and from 7th to 13th century it was part of Sunda Kingdom, with its Sunda Kelapa port, which was part of the Srivijaya Empire. In 1513 the first contact with the Europeans was made between Sunda Kingdom and the Portuguese merchants, which then built their own port in 1522. In 1527 Fatahillah, a general from Demak Kingdom, conquered the city, put it under Banten Sultanate control, and renamed it Jayakarta. In 1596 merchants from the Netherlands led by Cornelis de Houtman reached Jayakarta for trade and in 1610 they were granted permission to build a trading outpost on the east bank of Ciliwung river, which then finished on 1611. By that time, the British were also had arrived at Jayakarta in 1602.

In other part of the world, the Dutch Government granted VOC (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie, United East Indies Company) monopoly right for Asian trade in 1602, thus from that point until its liquidation in 1799, the main role of the history of Batavia was the VOC, a corporation, instead of the Dutch Government directly.

International Guide For Driving Or Riding In Jakarta

One cannot be considered has truly experienced Jakarta if he or she has not tried to drive a car there, on its highways, in its traffic, in rush hour, behind the steering wheel. But that is only second to the ultimate challenge, the surreal life and death experience, the act of courage and totality, one way to become one with the city itself, feeling and living its heartbeat; riding a motor bike. If any of you really want to be elevated to that level of understanding of Jakarta, this International Guide is created to facilitate that purpose.


Disclaimer: Although this International Guide is very rich in detailed facts, one must understand that most of them, if not all, are potentially against the law, and that this International Guide is basically a style of writing that uses humor, irony, exaggeration, and ridicule to expose and criticize something. Both the writer and the writing of this International Guide cannot be held responsible in case anything happened, either good or bad, that resulted from reading or practicing the content of this International Guide.

The World As I See It

Some would be about cities and urban life,
some other capture humanity,
and the rest would merely show my indecent appetite towards

space, pattern, & geometry.

Keadilan Ruang (Yang Lebih Radikal)

Belakangan ini mulai sering disuarakan konsep tentang Keadilan Ruang. Bahwa di kota seperti Jakarta, semakin kecil pendapatan seseorang, ia akan (terpaksa) tinggal semakin jauh dari pusat kota, semakin ia tinggal jauh dari pelayanan dan prasarana yang memadai, semakin besar pula ongkos yang harus dikeluarkannya untuk mencapai lokasi kerja dan aktivitas serta untuk mendapatkan pelayanan dan prasarana yang memadai.

Konsep Keadilan Ruang yang bersifat normatif dan sosial-etis ini seringkali akan terbentur oleh argumentasi-argumentasi ala liberal; bahwa tidak ada yang patut dikeluhkan dari situasi tersebut, mengingat bahwa entitas-entitas yang menguasai pusat kota pun mendapatkan haknya dengan cara legal, mereka membeli lahan dengan harga yang pantas, mereka membayar pajak, mereka mengolah hak miliknya tersebut agar terus produktif dan menghasilkan.

Jakarta Under Terrorist Attack

An account on how Jakarta face the January terror attack. Though it must be admitted there are some things to be worried about the future of the nation, this piece highly expresses positive aspects of the situation and hope of a better future.

On 14 January 2016, there was a terror attack at MH. Thamrin road, near Sarinah building, almost at the very center of Jakarta. The site of the attack was under 5 kilometers away from the Presidential Palace, Vice President Palace, National Monument "Tugu Monas", United Nations Office, as well as from the Governor's office. There were gunfights and 11 explosives, consisted of hand-grenades and bombs, of which 6 were exploded.


1. Background

The location where the terror attack unfolded itself was not at all a foreign one to me or any Jakartans.

Sister City Telescopes

To develop itself, a city needs optimism. And together with every other cities, it needs reflections and experience sharing, especially with greater ones. One way to learn, cooperate, and sharing each other's experience is through Sister Cities (or Twin Towns) concept.

There are many cities in the world that are 'sisters' (or 'twins') to Jakarta, but Berlin in Germany and Los Angeles in USA are very interesting, for they are also 'sisters' to each other.

Jakarta, Kemacetan, Jalan Tol, & Transportasi Publik Berbasis Rel

Marxistically; di Jakarta, untuk pergi ke tempat penghisapannya saja

buruh harus pikir sendiri transportasinya.

Pada waktu kampanye pemilihan Gubernur dan Wakil Gubernur DKI Jakarta, Jokowi dan Ahok menyatakan tidak akan meneruskan proyek pembangunan Enam ruas Tol Dalam Kota.

Tetapi sikap tersebut tiba-tiba berubah pada bulan Agustus-September tahun 2014, Gubernur DKI Jakarta Basuki Tjahaya Purnama (waktu itu masih Plt. Gubernur) mengatakan akan meneruskan proyek pembangunan enam ruas jalan tol dalam kota Jakarta. Salah satu tujuannya, sesuai dengan perkataan Ahok, adalah untuk meningkatkan rasio jalan dan mengurangi kemacetan di Jakarta.

Jakarta Is Not Afraid!

Earlier today there were several bomb and gunshot terrors in Thamrin, Central Jakarta.

No we are not!

Jagoan Kecil

Baru-baru ini sedang ramai dipergunjingkan tentang peristiwa pembajakan bus di Jakarta oleh sekomplotan jagoan-jagoan kecil dan reaksi Wakil Gubernur Jakarta tentang peristiwa itu, serta reaksi Komisi Perlindungan Anak Indonesia tentang reaksi Wakil Gubernur, juga reaksi balik Wakil Gubernur terhadap reaksi KPAI, ditambah dengan reaksi orang tua murid dan masyarakat pada umumnya.

Memperhatikan bahwa ada sedemikian banyak pergunjingan yang terjadi, penulis akan turut pula mempergunjingkan kejadian ini, tetapi dari sudut pandang yang sedikit berbeda: Ruang bagi para jagoan kecil kita.

Jakarta Vertical Kampung: Penjaringan

Tanggal 25 Juni sampai 7 Juli 2013 saya mengikuti Jakarta Vertical Kampung di Erasmus Huis. Diinisiasi oleh SHAU dan didukung oleh Vidour serta lembaga, organisasi, dan media lain, workshop ini pada intinya adalah dalam rangka menggali ide-ide konseptual baru mengenai Perumahan Rakyat atau Social Housing. Secara spesifik, yang dimaksud adalah bagaimana menciptakan atau merevitalisasi suatu Rumah Susun, yang selain berorientasi horizontal juga berorientasi vertikal, dengan tetap melestarikan atau menghidupi suasana dan model ikatan sosial Kampung.

Tulisan kali ini membahas sekilas apa yang dihasilkan dari workshop tersebut, dengan menampilkan slide-slide presentasi final kelompok saya.

Juara Penguasaan Spasial Jakarta

Seorang penari balet yang handal, pembalap ulung, pemain sepak bola yang lihai, atau atlet bela diri yang sangat tangkas memiliki kecerdasan penguasaan spasial (keruangan) pada medannya masing-masing. Demikian juga dengan para pelaku berbagai macam profesi dan keterampilan lainnya yang memanfaatkan gerak tubuh atau pengendalian suatu alat di dalam suatu ruang berbatas.

Tetapi kali ini mari kita mengapresiasi perihal penguasaan ruang dari perspektif yang lain. Kali ini kita akan meniliknya dari sudut pandang Kota Jakarta.

Studi Kasus Kemacetan Jakarta: Grogol - Tomang

Kemacetan adalah salah satu permasalahan Utama di kota Jakarta yang sampai hari ini masih belum terselesaikan juga dan sepertinya malah semakin bertambah parah dari hari ke hari.

Kemacetan dengan skala sebesar kemacetan di kota Jakarta ini pun tentu saja tidak akan bisa diselesaikan dengan cara yang parsial, setengah-setengah, dan tambal sulam. Akan dibutuhkan suatu metode penyelesaian yang bersifat menyeluruh dan mengatasi permasalahan hingga ke akar-akarnya.

Penulis sangat setuju bahwa akar permasalahannya terletak pada tidak tersedianya moda transportasi publik yang memadai - baik dari sudut pandang kualitas maupun kuantitas, terlalu banyaknya kendaraan pribadi yang membanjiri jalan-jalan, dan perencanaan kota yang terlampau berorientasi pada kendaraan pribadi. Ketiga hal tersebut saling mempengaruhi secara dialektis; tidak adanya transportasi publik yang memadai mendorong orang untuk menggunakan kendaraan pribadi, semakin banyak yang menggunakannya maka semakin berorientasi pada pengguna kendaraan pribadi pengembangan kotanya, semakin berorientasi pada penggunaan kendaraan pribadi maka akan semakin lesu perkembangan moda transportasi publik, dan seterusnya.

Racauan Arsitektur Jakarta

Bahasa yang umum kita gunakan adalah secara lisan dan tulisan, artinya menggunakan tanda-tanda bunyi dan bentuk, untuk mengekspresikan dan mengkomunikasikan maksud, pikiran, dan emosi. Walaupun bentuk dan variasinya sangat beraneka ragam, tetapi sesungguhnya struktur utama dari bahasa yang digunakan oleh manusia masih sama saja.

Di setiap bahasa manusia kita mengenal setidaknya kata benda, kata kerja, dan kata sifat. Intonasi yang digunakan untuk mengkomunikasikan emosi dan perasaan hampir bisa dikatakan bersifat universal; tanpa mengerti bahasa yang digunakan, seringkali kita bisa membedakan antara bentakan, pertanyaan, perintah, ekspresi rasa takut, dan - tentu saja - ekspresi rasa nikmat.

Sebuah bahasa adalah suatu sistem tanda-tanda bunyi dan bentuk yang spesifik yang dipergunakan untuk "mewakili" kenyataan yang lainnya.

Organisme Yang Sakit

Ada sejenis makhluk, suatu organisme, yang berukuran luar biasa besar. Yang terkecil berukuran kira-kira beberapa kilometer persegi, sementara salah satu yang terbesar memiliki ukuran mencapai lebih dari dua ribu kilometer persegi.

Kita akan mengamati satu makhluk berukuran gigantik tersebut, yaitu yang mungkin paling dikenal oleh pembaca dan merupakan salah satu yang terbesar dari jenisnya, berukuran total hampir 750 kilometer persegi, ia memulai hidupnya lebih kurang tujuh belas abad yang lalu.

Ia mencapai bentuknya yang terakhir pada empat atau lima abad yang lalu, walaupun sejak saat itu ia masih terus berkembang lagi, bahkan berkali-kali lipat, tetapi bentuk dasarnya, struktur tubuhnya, dan pola pengembangannya masih mengikuti bentuk dasar dan pola yang sama di masa lalu.

Seperti organisme yang lainnya, ia pun terdiri dari banyak sekali komponen-komponen yang memiliki tugas dan fungsinya masing-masing. Jika di dalam tubuh organisme bernama manusia terdapat sel darah merah yang bertugas untuk mendistribusikan sumber daya berupa molekul oksigen dan zat gizi ke seluruh sel-sel yang membangun tubuh si manusia, di dalam organisme ini pun salah satu komponennya yang terpenting adalah sel-sel yang selalu bergerak hilir-mudik dalam tempo yang teratur.