Striking a Balance Between Nature and Development: Investigating Private Green Spaces using ENVI-met

This research investigated the significant effects of private green spaces on air temperatures in Bekasi City. Previous analyses suggested that green spaces could lower air temperatures. Meanwhile, private green spaces, consisting of front and back yards, are a significant part of the concept. Software simulation (ENVI-met) was used to compare several housing scenarios for the tropical monsoon climate of Bekasi City. The scenarios consisted of housing configurations with the same unit size and number in an area of (49 x 49) m2. The results showed that the average air temperature reduction was mostly insignificant. On December 21, the scenarios with the highest and lowest average air temperatures differed by 0.42 ℃ at noon. In this context, the scenario with the most area of green space did not possess the lowest air temperature, due to the increase in building and pavement areas. Wind, sun position, surface area, and type of exposed area affected the outdoor air temperature. Further research could be conducted on innovations, especially regarding building and pavement materials to mitigate air temperature increases

Evaluating Policy Environment for Community-based Rural Tourism: Multi-Actor Perspectives in Tourism Value Chain

Tourism policies are essential in the development of community-based rural tourism (CBRT). In practice, their implementation requires a favorable policy environment. However, the CBRT literature has not investigated the policy environment and the holistic interactions between government-community relations, inter-agency coordination, and other complex challenges relevant to CBRT policies. Involving multiple CBRT actors, this study aimed to evaluate the policy environment in the development, implementation, and evaluation of CBRT-related policies. Using Tourism Value Chain (TVC) as the conceptual framework and considering the aspects of Tourism Value Webs (TVW), this research employed qualitative interviews with government officers. In addition, this study included archival research on policy documents and questionnaire surveys among community members in multiple case studies as an added triangulation. The case studies involved 49 tourism villages in Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The regency has embraced the community-based tourism (CBT) concept for rural development by creating tourism villages. Multiple institutions in the regency work with academia and the business sector in support of the communities in developing tourism villages, forming a multiple helix structure. Despite some limitations in the policy documents, the main stakeholders in Sleman Regency can organically coordinate and cooperate to take care of all TVC phases, implying their commitment and consciousness to achieve self-reliance in CBRT development. These findings imply that the policy environment for CBRT policies is dynamic. It thus requires all stakeholders to conduct a more proactive and adaptive approach to policy evaluation, enabling enhanced support for the long-term success and sustainability of CBRT initiatives

Writing about Smart Cities in Indonesia: A Bibliometric Analysis

This study analyzed the development, current patterns, and main focuses in the field of smart cities in Indonesia by conducting a bibliometric analysis of 133 academic articles. The study used the Scopus database to collect data and the Bibliometrix R programme to conduct a detailed bibliometric analysis. The findings revealed a yearly rise in publications, suggesting a growing scholarly focus on smart cities. The inquiry explored the relationships between authors, their affiliations, and countries, identifying the most prominent journals and influential publications in this field. Keyword analysis revealed the main topics and subjects, which greatly aided in the strategic planning and execution of smart city projects by identifying gaps, patterns, and potential areas for further investigation. This bibliometric analysis provides detailed insight into the study on smart cities in Indonesia, showing a transition from an initial emphasis on technology and sustainability to a wider range of sustainable development and sociological aspects. The findings emphasize the need for interdisciplinary approaches and increased regional and international partnerships to tackle complex urban challenges. This study promotes a holistic view of the smart city that combines technological advancement with community involvement and urban quality of life

From Thousand Canals to Roads: The Transformation of Transportation Mode in Pontianak

Pontianak City was established in 1771 on the the Kapuas River and Landak River riverbanks, the latter being the longest river in Indonesia. The city was once known as the City of a Thousand Canals. However, in its development, people shifted to land transportation modes, leaving the canals in an extinction process. This study aimed to uncover the factors and impacts of the inland water transportation network fading from the Pontianak urban structure. The research used a sequential explanatory design, combining qualitative methods in the form of literature review and quantitative methods using space syntax analysis. By comparing the spatial configuration of the canals and roads in a diachronic approach, the study found proof of the importance of the canals’ existence in the Pontianak urban structure. Water transportation can be the answer to fixing environmental issues, flood hazards, and traffic congestion. Revitalizing the canals can help bring a healthy water environment because the people will change their perception of the canals from sewage routes to transportation routes. Revitalizing the canals can also bring back waterside activity, generate a sense of belonging, and bring back part of the former identity of Pontianak City

Impact of Toll Road to Agricultural Land Conversion for Sustainable Development: A Systematic Literature Review

This study examined the relationship between the impact of toll road development on agricultural land conversion and the transformation of land along with its socioeconomic and environmental consequences. The method employed was a systematic literature review conducted using the PRISMA framework. The result identified eighteen publications discussing the impact of toll road construction on agricultural land conversion. The research concluded that toll road construction plays a role in converting areas into zones, settlements, and other non-agricultural purposes. This transformation can have effects on agricultural land conversion. The evaluation also highlights the importance of policy recommendations to mitigate the impacts of agricultural land conversion to sustainable development and food security, offering a hopeful outlook for the future

Exploring Public Sentiments Using Big Data on Superhub Spatial Development of Nusantara, the New Capital City of Indonesia

Superhub development is crucial for enhancing the economic prowess and sustainability of a region, focusing on bolstering its global competitiveness and amplifying its impact on national and regional growth. In the case of Nusantara, Indonesia’s new capital city, understanding public sentiment towards its development plan is essential. This study employed sentiment analysis, combining a comprehensive dataset of 433,637 tweets from 2020 with public documents and machine-learning tools to accurately gauge public opinion. Six key components of regional development emerged from the analysis, reflecting public discourse on IKN’s planning and execution. Geographically, sentiment across the 33 provinces was evenly distributed, with 63% positive, 24% negative, and 13% neutral sentiments observed in the tweets. However, sentiment fluctuated throughout the year, with a surge in negative sentiment early in 2020 due to concerns over financing risks and economic challenges. Nonetheless, negativity waned as the year progressed, with positive tweets steadily increasing from April to December. These findings offer valuable insights for guiding the development of Nusantara, aiding policymakers in addressing public concerns, and ensuring a more informed and inclusive approach. Such sentiment analysis proves instrumental in shaping the strategic trajectory of the new capital city, fostering sustainable growth and public support

Planning and designing livable recreational open spaces in developing countries. Insights from Souk Ahras City, Algeria

Creating livable recreational public open spaces is essential for urban quality of life and well-being. In the Algerian context, the topic of public open spaces has been extensively investigated. However, little research has examined how spatial and physical attributes of recreational open spaces influence their use and perceptions by residents. This study investigated the role of urban planning and urban design in shaping livable recreational open spaces in Souk Ahras City, Algeria. The study used a mixed-methods approach: spatial analysis was used to map five typologies, while a survey among 426 residents was used to assess the residents’ satisfaction, use, and perception of recreational open spaces. Although several recreational spaces have been, their availability was insufficient. In addition, satisfaction levels with the spatial and physical attributes of recreational open spaces were mainly average to low. Moreover, satisfaction was positively correlated to use frequency, duration, and favorable perception, highlighting the importance of the design quality of those spaces. However, satisfaction did not predict activities undertaken, underscoring the need for considering more than just the physical aspect when new recreational open spaces are proposed. Recommendations include increasing provision and improving spatial and physical attributes. The findings provide empirical insight to guide context-specific interventions for improving developing cities’ recreational open spaces. Further research should examine interactions between space, culture, and policy across multiple developing cities

Land Development Process in Urban River Areas: A Case in Palangka Raya City, Indonesia

Land development in Indonesia has undergone significant formal and informal changes that affect urban planning and development. Most studies discuss the issue of land development in urban mainland and coastal areas, while fewer studies explain this process in the context of river-based urban regions. This paper describes physical and non-physical factors that drive land development processes, both formally and informally, in urban river areas, including built-up area conditions, land status, involved agents, institutions, and market mechanisms. Researchers selected the Old Town area along the Kahayan River in Palangka Raya City as the study area. This study collected spatial data and reports, conducted field observations, and conducted interviews. Researchers used spatial, descriptive, and content analyses to analyze the data. Aspects of the land market, namely land transactions, land prices, values, and supply-demand issues, were obtained based on secondary data. Physical and non-physical factors of land development were analyzed based on the review of transcripts from in-depth interviews, especially those related to the built-up area conditions, land status, land-use pattern, and infrastructure needs. This study revealed that the government concentrates on formally developing land within the primary infrastructure system through intervention and support from the private sector, which leads to influence of market mechanisms. In contrast, informal land development occurs without the private sector’s intervention or government policies. This study recommends increasing local community capacity to understand formal and informal land development processes by supporting infrastructure development, improving institutional capacity, allocating land development zones, and strengthening urban policies and regulations

Social Capital and Community Adaptation to the COVID-19 Pandemic (Empirical Evidence: Sambirejo Village, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia)

With the ever-increasing uncertainty of the impact of humans on the environment, the study of adaptive societal behavior has gained interest in seeking to actively limit disaster-related losses. Despite numerous studies on the role of social capital in Indonesian tourism, the extent to which community social capital adapts to social order changes due to events like the COVID-19 pandemic or earthquake shocks has not been thoroughly studied. This study explored the social capital of people in tourist village areas, specifically in Sambirejo Village, Indonesia, and how it supported collective action during the COVID-19 pandemic to enhance community resilience and in turn succeed as a tourist village. Sambirejo Village has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a decline in tourism visits and income, highlighting the importance of social capital in fostering resilience. The research utilized a quantitative approach, collecting data through a questionnaire and analyzing descriptive statistical results. The model construct was then built and tested using a Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis. The SEM analysis revealed the crucial role of government and community initiatives in fostering community resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the need for well-placed policies to help communities increase their social capital and combat the pandemic effectively

Unravelling the Economic Impacts: Forecasting the Effects of the February Earthquakes on Türkiye’s Economy

This study aimed to reveal the macroeconomic effects of the earthquakes that occurred in Türkiye in February 2023 on the country as a whole, the affected region (covering 11 provinces), and other provinces. Using secondary data obtained from data sets of various institutions, this research firstly attempted to estimate the negative effects of the February Earthquakes on the country’s GDP. The study presents a base scenario using the economic growth forecasts of international organizations such as the IMF and the World Bank for 2023 and 2024 as well as three possible loss scenarios for Türkiye, taking into account the effects of earthquakes of similar magnitude on the GDP in Türkiye and other countries. Furthermore, this study tried to estimate the losses caused by earthquakes in terms of employment, GDP, agriculture, industry, services, and foreign trade at the regional and provincial levels. To do this, we created the Base Scenario, which assumes no earthquake, and Scenario 1, which shows the impact of the earthquake. The findings indicate that, in the worst-case scenario, the country will contract by approximately 2.75%, which means a loss of $8.8 billion. Moreover, the study results point out an average monthly loss of 242 thousand jobs, a loss of$5 billion in GDP, an export loss of $3.5 billion, and an import loss of$4.7 billion in the 11 earthquake-affected provinces. The research underlines the need for comprehensive measures to mitigate the economic consequences caused by earthquakes. This includes disaster prevention plans, effective management strategies and initiatives aimed at strengthening regional economic resilience. Ultimately, the article provides valuable information for policymakers to facilitate informed decisions and the implementation of measures to increase preparedness, risk mitigation, and sustainable recovery in earthquake-prone areas