The Emergence of Mobility Inequality in Greater Jakarta, Indonesia: A Socio-Spatial Analysis of Path Dependencies in Transport–Land Use Policies

Abstract

Despite numerous studies suggesting a path-dependent relationship between transport–land use policies and urban structures, particularly on the emergence of car-oriented development, this connection has rarely been explained with spatial evidence. To address this gap, this paper investigated the historical and spatial urban transformation of Greater Jakarta from three different time periods to understand today’s extensive use of and dependence on private vehicles. This study applied a multi-method approach of (1) historical literature review, (2) computational analysis of the street network using space syntax, and (3) visual analysis of video recordings to allow for a comprehensive insight into the socio-spatial aspects of urbanization as a path-dependent course. The findings indicate that Jakarta’s pedestrian network has been diminishing over time against the well-connected vehicular network. Furthermore, the remaining potential for walking cannot be actualized due to walking inconveniences at the street level. This suggests mobility inequality, since access to citywide urban functions is highly dependent on the access to private vehicles. It also provides spatial evidence that previous policies have had a long-term impact on socio-spatial structures. This paper contributes not only scientific reference for transport and mobility studies in the Southeast Asia region, but also a practical reference for urban planners and policy-makers on how to achieve sustainable development goals and to provide equal access for all.

Assessing Spatial Configurations and Transport Energy Usage for Planning Sustainable Communities

“…It is clearly visible in how the "aortae" of high energy usage "feed" and connect the areas of high local through-movement (see Figures 5 and 6). This corresponds to path dependencies of cities in which historically important routes retain a high level of use and recognisability for the population and eventually evolve into major traffic thoroughfares that facilitate private vehicle usage [41] The similarities between both cities are however evident: all areas with high local integration, (LH), (MH) and (HH) present as lowest in energy usage. Areas with low local integration values tended to present as high in energy usage.…”

“…Both cities have limited, continuous pedestrianized zones (within a one-kilometre radius) where cars are limited. This might affect the segments with high angular choice values that could be dominant, prioritised, and potentially historical routes in the city as they naturally become extensions into major roads [20,41]. Next, the adjacent areas to these pedestrian zones tend to have walking pavements parallel to roads allowing vehicular traffic.…”

The Complexity of Space Utilization and Environmental Pollution Control in the Main Corridor of Makassar City, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

“…The ease of accessibility in supporting population mobility for the purpose of working in offices, trading, and shopping is strongly influenced by the distance factor. Urban sustainability standards by improving public transport, encouraging non-motorized modes, zoning pedestrians, limiting private car use, and otherwise trying to undo the urban transformation caused by car domination [71,72]. Field facts that have been found indicate that the choice to use private transportation in addition to the distance factor is also influenced by factors of comfort, safety, and timeliness to the destination.…”

Realised pedestrian accessibility of an informal settlement in Jakarta, Indonesia

“…The city now covers 662 km 2 with over ten million inhabitants (Jakarta Bureau of Statistic 2017), while the Greater Jakarta covers 7,500 km 2 with an estimated thirty million inhabitants (Winarso, Hudalah, and Firman 2015). The urban expansion is mainly geared towards private vehicle use driven by road expansion strategies, while the pedestrian networks are left fragmented (Hidayati, Yamu, and Tan 2019).…”