The empowerment of small and medium economic enterprises will drive economic growth. The purpose of this study is to analyze (1) how economic growth works as a determinant of increasing the productivity of small and medium enterprises; (2) the influence of government policies, business capital support, and the strengthening of human resource capacity on the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs); and (3) strategies to increase business productivity and the sustainability of SMEs. We used a sequential explanatory design, which is a combination of quantitative and qualitative research, and data were obtained through observation, in-depth interviews, surveys, and documentation. The results of the study indicate that economic growth coupled with technological innovation will boost the productivity of economic enterprises and increase people’s welfare. Government policies, business capital support, and human resource capacity strengthening simultaneously have a positive effect on the development of SMEs, with a determination coefficient of 97.6%. Based on the results of this study, an economic growth strategy based on technological innovation is recommended for government decision making as an effort to increase the productivity of community economic enterprises in Makassar City, Indonesia.

Optimal financial performance based on the use of sharia fintech followed by the stability of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) will have an impact on economic growth. This study aims to analyze the financial performance of SMEs from a sharia economic perspective; analyzing the effect of using sharia fintech on the financial performance and sustainability of SMEs and strengthening human resource capacity, business diversification, business productivity, and product marketing to improve financial performance and business sustainability of SMEs. The study uses a quantitative survey approach. Data were obtained through questionnaires distributed to 350 respondents in 15 districts in the city of Makassar. The results of the study show that human resource capacity and business diversification affect the financial performance of SMEs by 41.8%. Sharia fintech, human resource capacity, business diversification, business productivity, and financial performance have a positive effect on SME business sustainability with a determination coefficient of 65.9%. This study recommends the management of SME businesses based on the use of sharia fintech in supporting the sustainability of SME businesses in Makassar, Indonesia.

Urbanization towards the expansion of the city area causes urban sprawl and changes in space use. Furthermore, urban agglomeration towards urban spatial integration causes a decrease in environmental quality. This study aims to analyze (1) land-use change and urban sprawl work as determinants of environmental quality degradation in suburban areas. (2) The effect of urban sprawl, urban agglomeration, land-use change, urban activity systems, and transportation systems on environmental quality degradation in suburban areas. A combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches is used sequentially in this study. Data obtained through observation, surveys, and documentation. The results showed that the expansion of the Makassar City area to the suburbs had an impact on spatial dynamics, spatial segregation, and environmental degradation. Furthermore, urban sprawl, land-use change, urban agglomeration, activity systems, and transportation systems have a positive correlation to environmental quality degradation with a determination coefficient of 85.9%. This study recommends the handling of urban sprawl, land-use change, and urban agglomeration to be considered in the formulation of development policies towards the sustainability of natural resources and the environment of Makassar City, Indonesia.

The acceleration of metropolitan city development toward economic growth has an impact on over-urbanization, energy scarcity, slum settlements, and environmental degradation. Slum settlements that are predominantly inhabited by the urban poor will require an increase in the productivity of economic enterprises through the empowerment process. This study aims to analyze (1) community empowerment functions as determinants of the use of renewable energy in handling slum settlement and (2) the effects of community empowerment, utilization of renewable energy, strengthening of institutional capacity, and productivity of economic enterprises on improving the quality of the slum settlement environment. The study approach used is a combination of qualitative–quantitative research. Data was obtained through observation, in-depth interviews, surveys, and documentation. The results of the study show that community empowerment, coupled with the use of renewable energy, strengthening institutional capacity, and community participation, contributes positively to increasing the productivity of economic enterprises and improving environmental quality toward sustainable management of slum settlements. The effect of economic empowerment, strengthening institutional capacity, and the use of renewable energy to improve environmental quality with a coefficient of determination of 78.5%. This study recommends socio-economic empowerment based on the use of renewable energy in the implementation of the Makasssar City toward environmental, economic sustainability and the creation of social cohesion.

The complexity of spatial use has an impact on poverty and the development of slum settlements towards a decrease in environmental quality. In this study, we aim to analyze (1) urbanization and spatial expansion as determinants of spatial dynamics in suburban areas, (2) the effect of spatial expansion, land use change, population increase, and spatial activity patterns on the development of slum settlements, and (3) the relationship between control of spatial planning, handling land reclamation, and improving the quality of infrastructure with improving the quality of the environment and the sustainability of handling slum settlements in the suburbs. We use a sequential explanatory design, which is a combination of quantitative and qualitative research, and data are obtained through observation, in-depth interviews, surveys, and documentation. The results showed that slum settlements in watersheds and coastal areas as well as inadequate support for infrastructure services resulted in excessive groundwater use, soil pollution, and surface water quality pollution resulting in less smooth river flow regulation, lowering of water levels, urban flooding, and disease transmission. Weak control over spatial use, utilization of water catchment areas, and the inadequate fulfillment of slum settlement infrastructure services cause a decrease in environmental quality. These results indicate that it is very important to deal with slum settlements in a sustainable manner, including spatial use and environmental, economic, and social aspects. This study recommends that the handling of slum settlements requires policy support from the government in an effort, to meet the city target without slums by 2030 in Makassar City, Indonesia.