Urban expansion in Southeast Asia: Do Private Cities Contribute to Inequality?
The research, published in the CITIES journal, examines the rapid urban expansion in Southeast Asia, focusing on private cities in Indonesia. Over the last few decades, many Southeast Asian countries have seen rapid proliferation of new towns, coinciding with economic growth and evolving demographic landscape. Much of this shift occurs on the outskirts of major metropolitan areas, in line with the tremendous increase in urbanisation in developing countries.
Dr. Eka Permanasari, an Associate Professor of Urban Design at Monash University, Indonesia, claims that "the growth of private cities contributes to urban segregation, which perpetuates social and economic inequalities. This is because the construction of exclusive and luxurious developments contributes to gentrification, which causes the displacement of low-income residents, marginalises the lower class, widens the gap between haves and have-nots, and erases local culture and history."
Private cities in much of the western contexts and Southeast Asian countries share both similarities and distinctions. In both contexts, many private developers have constructed high-end luxury homes and commercial centres in peri-urban and rural areas. These new developments targeted the emerging and aspiring middle classes, integrating them with industrial estates and office buildings. However, while industrial land and real estate development in suburban China and the US are often planned by the national state, in Indonesia and some Southeast Asia countries, the state only provides a broad guidance, and it is the private land developers who drive the nature and geography of suburbanization. Further, the majority of private cities in South-east Asia and Indonesia are the result of land transformation, which has emerged as the principal catalyst for urban expansion.
Bintaro Map in 1985 - There are still many empty areas
In particular, there are specific characteristics of private cities in Indonesia. We can see that in Indonesia, private cities can start at 1000 Hectares (Ha) and slowly expand their area, whereas in many other countries they are much larger. Private cities provide the majority of services, including water supply, sanitation, and waste management. These services are limited to residents only. They are contractually bound, and private city management determines a fee.
Bintaro Map in 2021 - Massive areas with buildings
More importantly, as Eka stated, "In Indonesia, the primary drivers of private cities are safety and lifestyle. The private cities will remain protected from the outside world while providing a luxurious way of life. Thus, the majority of public spaces (parks, riverbanks, and running paths) are patrolled and fenced. Despite having restricted access, members of the public remain susceptible to surveillance and specific regulations."
The findings of this study will assist policymakers and urban planners in implementing sustainable strategies to mitigate the negative effects of urban sprawl and private cities phenomena. By gaining insight into the underlying incentives that propel the establishment of private cities, policymakers can strive to establish urban environments that are more inclusive and equitable for every resident. This can be achieved through the promotion of affordable housing initiatives in the vicinity, the preservation of public spaces that are accessible and welcoming to all, and the enforcement of just and transparent spatial planning. Such measures contribute to the formation of social cohesion.
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