Embracing Transient Migrant toward Smart Living at Kampung in

Surabaya

Purwanita Setijanti

, Soesiana Tri Ekawati

, Angger Sukma Mahendra

, Tanti S.R. Nasution

Susetyo Firmaningtyas

, M. Ainul Yaqin

Department of Architecture, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Surabaya

Universitas Dr. Soetomo, Surabaya

Laboratory for Housing and Settlement, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember

Keywords: smart living, transient migrant, urban kampung

Abstract: With the need for space, particularly for commercial activities and services in line with the cities’ economic

growth, the existence of kampung (informal housing) is in risk. Social and economic problems may occur

between kampung inhabitants, and the users of commercial areas around the kampung, the quality of the

settlement environment may deteriorate because of rapid development, the cultural gap may arise between

the local-traditional inhabitants and more-‘modernised’ group of people of the city. Kampung Kalasin is one

of the oldest kampungs in Surabaya, located in the Central Business District area of Tunjungan. As the

policy of the city government of Surabaya is to protect the old kampung as the city heritage, this kampung

has been receiving various development programs, for example, kampung improvement program in 1978

which emphasized on the improvement of i) the settlement environment, for example by building

parks/green open spaces ii) energy saving and iii) community-based health awareness. This study uses

qualitative descriptive method aimed to uncover urban kampung contribution on Surabaya development

toward the smart city, referring to Smart City criteria by the European Technology Platform in 2011. The

research shows that kampung and its inhabitants together with the workers of the CBD living in the

kampung contribute to creating a smart living.

1 INTRODUCTION

The transformation carried out by kampung(s) in the

city of Surabaya is a long, dynamic process in line

with the development of the city. The old kampung(s)

were originally located on the outskirts of the keraton

area and tended to group based on work. The increase

of populations increased the need for new land to

build settlements so that new kampung(s) were

formed and the phenomenon of urban expansion had

changed settlements in the suburbs into kampung(s)

in the inner city (urban kampung). The kampung as a

marginal area grows organically because it is rarely

touched by urban development. Until now the City of

Surabaya can still maintain the existence of this urban

kampung. These kampung(s) are the reflection of the

image that is typical for the city of Surabaya. Many

residents who grow and develop in the city become

an important part in determining the direction of the

development of the city.

However, the rapid development of the city of

Surabaya resulted in the existence of kampung(s) in

Surabaya increasingly being pressured by the need for

land for activities that are relatively more profitable

economically and the possibility of gentrification.

The location of settlements in the city center is

trapped in high-rise buildings and modern urban

activities. Kampung(s) that had been settled for a long

time were being pushed down by the development of

the city and socio-economic mobility so that the

kampung gradually deteriorated. The urban kampung

area in Surabaya is generally located at the point of

old settlements which are currently being pushed

down by the development of trade, industry,

apartments, and shopping centers. One example of an

urban kampung in Surabaya that is located in the area

of modern urban development is Kampung Kaliasin.

This dense kampung is located behind the shopping

center Tunjungan Plaza Surabaya, which is a central

area of trade and services. Because its location is in

Setijanti, P., Ekawati, S., Mahendra, A., Nasution, T., Firmaningtyas, S. and Yaqin, M.

Embracing Transient Migrant toward Smart Living at Kampung in Surabaya.

DOI: 10.5220/0008908600002481

In Proceedings of the Built Environment, Science and Technology International Conference (BEST ICON 2018), pages 84-89

ISBN: 978-989-758-414-5

the center of Surabaya and surrounded by various

sectors of the economy and trade that are growing

very rapidly, the pressure from the surrounding

environment is so great. It does cause not only social

and economic problems, but also environmental

problems (climate, sanitation, greeneries, etc.).

As technology and development advance,

Surabaya develops into a smart city. The concept of a

smart city helps the community/citizens to manage

existing resources efficiently and provide appropriate

information to the community/institution in carrying

out activities and anticipating unexpected events.

Smart cities are also defined as cities that can use HR,

social capital, and modern telecommunications

infrastructure to realize sustainable economic growth

and high quality of life, with wise resource

management through community participation-based

governance (Caragliu, A. et al. in Schaffers, 2010).

Research by Kourtit & Nijkamp (2012) has revealed

that smart cities have become imperative in urban

planning, especially in developed countries, as a

result of the development of intensive knowledge and

creative strategies in improving the quality of the

socio-economic, ecological, competitive power of the

city. The emergence of Smart City concepts and

designs is the result of a combination of human

resource capital (for example, educated workforce),

infrastructure capital (for example, high-tech

communication facilities), social capital (e.g., open

community networks), and entrepreneurial capital

(for example, creative business activities). A smart

city is characterized by six main aspects, namely

Smart Government, Smart Economy, Smart Life,

Smart Living (Smart Environment), Smart People,

and Smart Mobility.

Figure 1: Smart City basic components (Nam & Pardo,

2011)

2 LITERATURE REVIEW

The model of medium and small city development

(koto) based on local potential in the framework of

MP3EI was formulated and conceptualized through a

combination of theoretical sources with field facts

taken from six selected cities, namely Solok

(agriculture), Garut (agriculture), Singkawang

(tourism and agriculture), Pekalongan (batik

industry), Kota Baru (fishery), and Labuhan Bajo

(tourism and fisheries). The development of

residential development models (urbanized human

settlements) is based on the principles of

sustainability and economic development to improve

the social and environmental quality of citizens. The

results of the study have shown that these six cities

have a strong economic influence on the surrounding

area. A strong economy with a good environment and

the availability of facilities and infrastructure are the

main factors to develop resilient local economic

resources, building quality, and sustainable human

resources.

In Indonesia, the development of knowledge

about housing and settlements has been quite

advanced. However, with government policies and

programs to date, they are still more focused on

providing housing (housing for all) to meet the

housing backlog. Therefore, this research wants to

prioritize the concept of settlements that are not only

sufficient and sustainable but also guarantee the

feasibility of the lives of its inhabitants with the

existence of a home-like quality, an independent

community that guarantees involvement in

development while maintaining local aspects

(originality) by using an integrative-holistic thinking

approach.

Based on researches conducted in Surabaya

during 2015-2016, some conclusions are generated:

1) Kampung(s) in Surabaya have great potential to

continue to survive because kampung(s) have

high resilience to the changes that occur around

them. This resilience is generally in the form of

adaptation to change because changes that occur

generally are not on a large scale and in a long-

time span.

2) Non-physical factors greatly affect the ability of

citizens to maintain their kampung(s) using

typical/local solutions to common problems. The

most dominant non-physical factor is a sense of

togetherness in facing problems together, high

accessibility and tolerance between citizens.

3) The physical condition of kampung has decreased,

especially the condition and density of buildings,

due to limited space requirements for land

resources and economic capacity of citizens.

Embracing Transient Migrant toward Smart Living at Kampung in Surabaya

3 RESEARCH METHOD

The purpose of the study was to determine the

development of the urban kampung towards Smart

City Surabaya so that the research that would be used

in this study was historical, descriptive research with

qualitative methods. In descriptive research,

researchers can compare certain phenomena so that it

is a comparative study, but at one time it is also a

historical study. In this study, a historical study was

chosen with a case study of Kampung Kaliasin in

Surabaya. Kampung Kaliasin was chosen because

researchers have researched this kampung in the late

1990s and in 2015 to see aspects of its resilience to

existing urban problems.

The data that will be used is qualitative data that

were obtained from field or primary observation. So,

the method that will be applied is qualitative

descriptive. The variables studied have been

determined in advance, so that aspects of the history

of development and the viability of kampung(s) in

Surabaya will be analyzed in the direction of Smart

City Surabaya.

4 FINDINGS

4.1 Current Situation in Kampung

Kaliasin

Kampung Kaliasin has its Smart City implementation

that can be observed from each indicator:

a. Smart People: social pluralism, flexibility and

open-mindedness, and ability to use technology

b. Smart Economy: entrepreneurship, effort to create

economic space, and business flexibility

c. Smart Governance: good neighborhood and

participation in public and social services

d. Smart Environment: effort to reduce pollution,

environment security, and sustainable resource

management (shown in Figure 2)

e. Smart Living: cultural activity and space, housing

quality, and utilization of technology in daily life

f. Smart Mobility: access, infrastructure, efficiency

Figure 2: Current condition of Kampung Kaliasin

However, in Kampung Kaliasin, some problems

also emerged because of the incoming of migrant-

workers. Some identified problems include social and

economic problem, quality of the settlement

environment, and cultural gap. Social and economic

problems may occur between the kampung

inhabitants and the users of commercial areas around

the kampung. It is mostly found in areas where kos-

Kosan (boarding houses) are common and in areas

that are most adjacent to the business center. Quality

of the settlement may have deteriorated because of

the rapid development. Kampung Kaliasin has been a

densely populated kampung. Migrant-workers

coming to stay are not only adding population in

number but also threatening the quality of the

environment with more waste to be managed, more

water to be provided, etc. The quality of the

settlement is also compromised with the rapid

development of its surrounding area. The expansion

of Tunjungan Plaza has taken spaces not only for

living or dwelling, but also spaces that are potentially

used as open or green spaces. This expansion may

also cause pollution to the kampung, not only air

pollution but also sound pollution. Some parts of the

kampung even lack access to direct sunlight because

tall buildings have overshadowed them. This

condition may cause the deterioration of air

circulation and quality in their dwellings. Figure 3

illustrates the expansion of Tunjungan Plaza.

Figure 3: Expansion of Tunjungan Plaza (illustration)

Another problem found in this kampung is a

cultural gap that may arise between the local-

BEST ICON 2018 - Built Environment, Science and Technology International Conference 2018

traditional inhabitants and the more ‘modernized’

group of people. Kampung Kaliasin as one of old

kampung(s) in Surabaya has been inhabited by old

generations of its inhabitants who have their own

value and customs. Those value and customs, such as

in social engagement practices, daily life, even on

how their view about the kampung, might be different

to that of younger generation. This difference, in one

hand, shows that the inhabitants in Kampung Kaliasin

is a dynamic entity which may ensure the inhibition

of this kampung. On the other hand, where difference

occurred, there should be a meeting point of each

side’s views, especially on how this kampung should

be developed or maintained. Unless such meeting

point is found, the cultural gap may only bring harms

to this kampung.

4.2 Transient Migrant and Smart

Living in Kampung Kaliasin

As the policy of the city government of Surabaya to

protect the old kampung as the city heritage, this

kampung has been receiving various development

programs, for example, kampung improvement

program in 1978 which emphasized on the

improvement of the settlement environment, for

example by building parks/green open spaces, energy

saving, and community-based health awareness. Such

a program is an effort to make kampung a more

livable space in the city. Along the way, a livable

kampung has also attracted migrant-workers from

outskirts of Surabaya to live there. One of many

considerations is the closeness to their working space,

thus living in such kampung is a practical solution to

save transportation expenses. As an impact, some

kampung, such as Peneleh and Kebangsren, are even

suspected of having more migrant-workers living

there than native inhabitants. This phenomenon, as

found in Kebangsren, makes sense of belonging to

this kampung declined, especially when it comes to

maintaining the physical condition of the kampung.

Kampung Kaliasin, with its proximity to

Tunjungan Plaza and surrounding business area, is

unavoidable from this kind of development. Looking

back to its profile, Kampung Kaliasin has a high

survival potency due to its adaptability to changes

occurred in a long-time span and small scale. Besides,

based on the survey and observations of this research,

the inhabitants have a high sense of togetherness and

tolerance while the physical condition is declining. It

means that the inhabitants have accepted the

existence of those migrant-workers and brought them

together in their daily life.

Figure 4: Social life in Kampung Kaliasin

However, the declining condition of Kampung

Kaliasin is inevitable. Although the inhabitants have

tried to improve their environment in some parts

through greening and cleaning their surroundings, the

outer part of this kampung is challenged with the

aggressive development of the business area in Jalan

Basuki Rahmat. Many houses have been sold to large

businesses such as PT Pakuwon Jati (owner and

developer of Tunjungan Plaza) so the money from

this selling can be inherited to and shared between

their descendants. It also happened because most

houses are owned by the elderlies while their second

generations choose not to live in Kampung Kaliasin.

The kampung itself is not seen as vacant kampung yet

because the houses are still inhibited although they

have been sold to the developer. If this condition

persists, the survivability of Kampung Kaliasin will

be in question.

To survive as a kampung and as a community, at

first, kampung needs an adequate physical condition

to accommodate bodily needs of its inhabitants and

provide security for them. After that, kampung can be

developed to improve household economy through

home (or kampung)-based enterprises. By doing this,

the inhabitants in the kampung will also have

common activity that will bring them closer and in

harmony.

In Kampung Kaliasin, because of the incoming of

many migrant-workers, there are a lot of households

with HBEs. The surrounding business area brings

economic opportunities to them. Some of the business

are kos-kosan (boarding house), a small retail shop,

and food stalls to provide the needs of the migrants.

Figure 5 shows some businesses in Kampung

Kaliasin.

Embracing Transient Migrant toward Smart Living at Kampung in Surabaya

Figure 5: Business in Kampung Kaliasin

The existence and possibility to develop such

business ensure that even when the inhabitants choose

to stay in the kampung, they still have the benefit

since there will always be the needs. Thus, the mutual

relationship between the inhabitants and the transient

migrants as provider and user is formed.

5 CONCLUSIONS

As a kampung in the heart of the business district, the

existence of Kampung Kaliasin cannot stand alone. It

requires support from another party. To survive,

Kampung Kaliasin must make use of its privilege by

becoming a provider for the migrants and workers as

well as creating a mutual relationship with them. This

relationship, when it is maintained, will create a

closer bond among the inhabitants and the migrants.

In terms of social capital, the relationship between

individuals, inhabitants, and the surrounding

environments will contribute to the development and

survivability of this kampung.

Although the transient migrants may bring some

problems to the kampung, they also contribute to the

kampung. They bring business opportunities to

ensuring the existence of the kampung. Kampung

characteristics such as tolerance and togetherness will

bond the inhabitants and the migrants. These will also

ensure that migrants shall not harm the kampung if

they choose to stay there.

In smart living criteria, a good living environment

will have a good quality of personal security,

settlement condition, and social condition. It may be

achieved when both the inhabitants and migrants

work together as a community with the same view on

how to make the kampung they live in a better place.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This paper is a part of research funded by the Ministry

of Research, Technology and Higher Education

through PDUPT Scheme.

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Embracing Transient Migrant toward Smart Living at Kampung in Surabaya