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TPL - Neolib Karawang
TPL - Neolib Karawang
Land-use changes refer to significant alterations in the purpose and utilization of land
within a specific geographic area. These changes can involve converting agricultural land into
industrial or commercial zones, expanding residential areas, or transforming natural landscapes
into built environments (Dahal & Timalsina, 2020). The impacts of these changes can be far-
reaching and have implications for various environmental components, such as water and land.
While neoliberal planning in the Karawang Regency may prioritize economic growth and private
sector involvement, it's essential to consider the potential environmental consequences of such
rapid land-use changes. The socioeconomic impacts of these changes must also be examined,
particularly regarding social inequalities and access to resources (Cipollina et al., 2018).
Moreover, the effects of neoliberal land-use changes are not uniform and can have
disparate impacts within different social sectors. It is important to analyze how these policies have
affected marginalized communities and whether they have exacerbated social inequalities.
Neoliberalism, a socio-economic ideology that emerged in the 1980s, has had a profound
impact on various aspects of society, including urban planning and land-use changes. According
to sources, neoliberal policies were initially implemented in Chile in the 1970s and then spread to
other regions such as Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, New Zealand, and Australia (Salinas-
Atausinchi & Huaman-Lucana, 2021). However, the consequences of neoliberal land-use changes
have been extensively debated. Some argue that these market-oriented policies have resulted in
significant social and economic inequalities, while others contend that they have promoted
economic growth and development.
Neoliberalism, which is rooted in the belief of minimal government intervention and free
market principles, has played a pivotal role in shaping urban landscapes and land-use patterns.
The impact of neoliberal policies on urban development has been a subject of intense scholarly
debate. In this context, it is crucial to explore the specific repercussions of neoliberal planning on
the Karawang Regency. By examining the influence of neoliberal ideologies on land-use changes,
it becomes possible to understand the dynamics of economic, social, and spatial transformations
within the region. According to Sager, neoliberal planning in the context of urban development
involves favoring private sector solutions, competitive governance, property rights, and economic
development (Rauch et al., 2013). Neoliberal planning in Karawang Regency is likely to be
characterized by similar features, including an emphasis on attracting private investment,
promoting economic growth and prioritizing market-driven development projects.
This study aims to examine the neoliberal policies implemented in Karawang Regency that
have influenced land conversion. By meticulously examining the policy frameworks derived from
neoliberal ideologies and their actualization within Karawang’s planning documents, this research
endeavours to pinpoint and assess the precise policies shaping land conversion dynamics in the
region. Furthermore, this investigation seeks to analyze how the adoption of these neoliberal
policies has developed land use in Karawang. Additionally, the study will conduct a comprehensive
assessment of the advantages and disadvantages associated with the application of neoliberal
policies in Karawang. Understanding these implications will offer insights into the efficacy and
consequences of implementing neoliberal policy in shaping land use patterns in Karawang.
This paper is structured into several sections. The literature review provides a foundation
by examining existing scholarly works and theories related to neoliberal policies' influence on land
use patterns. The study area and methods section outline Karawang Regency's specifics and the
methodologies used. The results and dicussions section focuses on delineating the predominant
neoliberal aspects recognized within Karawang's planning documents followed by critically
analyze and interpret the results. Finally, the conclusion summarizes key findings and their
significance.
Literature review
2.1. Neoliberal Planning
Neoliberalism can be understood as a rearrangement of the connection between private
capital owners and the government, which justifies and promotes for a prioritization of economic
growth in urban development (Sager, 2011). Neoliberalism is not solely limited to being an
inherent quality of specific institutions or political systems; it also functions as an external system
of regulations and established patterns, generating influences and imposing consequences. The
influence of this factor on interurban competition and intraurban growth is both important and
independent (Peck & Tickell, 2002).
The concept of addressing planning issues through the privatization of urban planning can
be achieved by engaging private consultants to handle planning tasks, allowing private companies
to take responsibility for planning development, and outsourcing planning-related activities, such
as building regulation. Sager further argue that neoliberal planning practices can take form in:
1) Public-private partnership
2) Private sector participation in the financing and operation of transportation
infrastructure
3) Transferring ownership and control of public space to private sectors
4) Privately administered and protected residential areas
5) Quangos coordinating market-driven urban development
6) Open bidding
7) Property-led urban revitalization
8) Adaptable zoning regulations and designated business-friendly areas
9) Gentrification
10) Urban growth that involves attracting the ‘creative class’
As of 2022, the population of Karawang stands at 2.5 million, with a land area spanning
approximately 1,911 km2. In 2022, Karawang Regency exhibited notable economic indicators, with
its Gross Regional Domestic Product (PDRB) primarily driven by the industrial sector. The largest
contribution to the PDRB in 2022 stemmed from the industrial sector, amounting to 191.4 trillion
Indonesian Rupiah, constituting approximately 71% of the total regional PDRB. Moreover, this
sector demonstrated a commendable growth rate of 7.5% during that period.
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The methodology integrates academic literature, news sources, and policy documents,
guided by the framework of neoliberal planning theory, to study and interpret the phenomena.
The process begins with a comprehensive literature review, which includes academic articles,
books, scholarly works, and policy documents that are related to the phenomena being studied.
The purpose of this phase is to create a thorough basis by recognizing important theoretical
frameworks, empirical discoveries, and practical consequences outlined in academic and policy-
focused sources.
In order to capture the phenomenon's dynamic elements in real time, the second
component entails a thorough investigation of news sources. By integrating contemporary events
and media portrayal, this measure improves our comprehension of the ever-changing
characteristics of the phenomena, its influence on society, and the continuous public discussion.
The implementation of neoliberal practices in Karawang Regency has impacted land use
patterns, particularly in terms of agricultural land conversion. The adoption of public-private
partnerships, the rise of privately managed and protected residential areas, the preference for
open bidding processes, the establishment of adaptable zoning regulations and business-friendly
zones, and the focus on attracting the 'creative class' have all contributed to a shift in land use
away from agriculture and towards industrial and residential development. This shift is consistent
with neoliberal principles that emphasize market-driven strategies, private sector involvement,
and reduced government intervention. While these changes have brought economic growth and
development opportunities to Karawang, they have also raised concerns about the sustainability
of agricultural production and the preservation of Karawang's natural environment
c. Rice Production
Between 2013 and 2020, the harvested area for rice cultivation in Karawang
decreased from 185,052 hectares to 177,139 hectares (Jabar, 2021) . Additionally,
the rice production in Karawang declined from 1,133,671 tons in 2018 to
1,096,657 tons in 2023 (BPS, 2023), marking a decrease of 37,014 tons or
approximately 3.3%. These statistics indicate a notable reduction in both the
cultivated land area and rice yield over recent years. This decline in agricultural
productivity can be correlated with the ongoing land conversion in Karawang,
which has been influenced by neoliberal policies promoting the transformation of
agricultural land into industrial zones. The conversion of agricultural areas into
industrial zones, driven by neoliberal economic policies, has likely contributed to
the diminishing agricultural land available for rice cultivation, ultimately
impacting the region's rice production output.
Conclusions
The presence of neoliberal principles in Karawang's planning policies has resulted in a
significant change in the region, particularly noticeable in the industrial sector. Industries have
become a key driver for the economy of Karawang, making a substantial contribution to its GDP.
Nevertheless, this transition towards industrialization has also led to significant land changes.
Although industries are thriving, the following conversion of agricultural land has had little effect
on rice production. However, the shift in land utilization from agricultural to industrial and
residential areas raises concerns over the future. The swift expansion of residential areas,
combined with demographic trends suggesting a decrease in entering individuals relative to
outgoing migrants, could result in a surplus of vacant housing developments. This scenario
highlights the urgent need for government engagement to address and overcome these
emerging difficulties.
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