Social Development Talks: Reframing Land, Infrastructure, and Community in Sustainability Governance

The Department of Social Development and Welfare (PSdK) at Gadjah Mada University’s Faculty of Social and Political Sciences hosted a Social Development Talks session on February 21, 2025.

This engaging discussion explored the complex realities behind sustainable development rhetoric, examining how grand visions often mask underlying challenges. The session analyzed Indonesia’s New Capital (IKN) project, which promises to be a “forest city” and “smart, inclusive city,” while revealing the paradoxes of massive urban developments—particularly how substantial water supply requirements can create scarcity for existing communities. Participants learned about the critical need for multi-level collaboration in achieving genuine sustainability, with speakers emphasizing that sustainable development cannot rely solely on top-down approaches but must be grounded in grassroots implementation supported by regulations encouraging both vertical and horizontal participation.

The discussion also examined urban dynamics through cities like Yogyakarta, exploring the social segregation between local communities and newcomers amid rapid urbanization. Despite these challenges, the session highlighted inspiring examples of community resilience, particularly examining how communities in Kotagede have successfully navigated massive social changes while preserving their unique cultural identity. Attendees discovered how some communities turn their cultural distinctiveness into development assets rather than losing them to modernization pressures, offering valuable insights into sustainable governance that truly serves both development goals and community welfare.

Speakers:

• Dr. Kei Otsuki – Professor of International Development Studies, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Utrecht University
• Bahruddin, Ph.D. – Lecturer in Department of Social Development and Welfare, Universitas Gadjah Mada
• Pinurba Parama Pratiyudha, M.A. – Lecturer in Department of Social Development and Welfare, Universitas Gadjah Mada