Spatial Transformation of Subak in Northern Kuta Tourism Area, Bali: From Agricultural to Cultural-Service

Abstract

As one of the world cultural heritage designated by UNESCO, Subak in Bali experienced various challenges in the framework of its existence. Subak is recognized as a traditional Balinese agricultural institution based on local water management. The risks that subak must face when in the circle of international tourism practices because Bali is a tourist destination that is very reliable by the Government of Indonesia in order to obtain foreign exchange. The purpose of this article is to reveal the problems faced by as a local genious irrigation system. Especially related to spatial function changes that occur in Northern Kuta tourism area, Bali, by identifying the distribution of subak, composition, and typology of existing actors related to their interest in water, sub-urban development patterns, and subak alienation practices. Spatial approach adopted to determine spatial changes that occur ranging from agriculture to tourism. Data collection based on spatial analysis with GIS application, observation, interview, and focus group discussion. Spatial changes were found to be caused by the penetration of accommodation development, accessibility, and communal facilities. This situation occurs because of the limited tourism space in the center of tourism areas or tourism business areas (TBD) such as Kuta and Legian. There has been a transformation of spatial functions: from agricultural functions to cultural-service functions. The change in spatial planning indicates a tendency to shift the socio-cultural community around Kuta Tourism Area from agrarian to sub-urban characteristics. Thus, it has an impact on the existence of subak as the last bastion of sustainable tourism development in Bali.

Mapping of Subak Area Boundaries and Soil Fertility for Agricultural Land Conservation

“…The conversion of Subak land is not only detrimental to farmers. It is also detrimental to the tourism sector because Subak in Bali is not only for agricultural activities but also for a destination for tourist attraction (Budiasa et al, 2015;Norken et al, 2016;Sunarta et al, 2019;Sunarta et al, 2021), so Subak land resources need to be preserved. One of the sustainable Subaks in Bali namely Subak Jatiluwih.…”

Farmer Perspectives on Sustainable Urban Farming Tourism: A Case Study of Bali's Subak Lestari Program

“…T he surge in Bali's tourism sector not only triggers a shift in labor from agriculture but also spurs a growing demand for public infrastructure, housing, and tourism-related facilities. This surge, however, results in the conversion of agricultural land into non-agricultural use (Sunarta et al (2021). The changing economic landscape is evident in the diminishing role of the primary sector (agriculture) in the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP), while the tertiary sector (largely tourism-driven) continues to expand.…”

Correlation Between Soil Nitrogen Content and NDVI Derived from Sentinel-2A Satellite Imagery

“…The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has recognized the Balinese agricultural irrigation system known as subak as part of the world's cultural heritage (Windia et al, 2018). Subak is the driver of Bali's agricultural and tourism sectors (Sunarta et al, 2021), and thus must be preserved. Population growth triggers the conversions of land functions, from subak to built-up lands, such as those transpiring in Denpasar City.…”