The characteristic of urban sprawl in Bekasi City, Indonesia

Abstract

This study aims to identify areas and sprawl characteristics in Bekasi City. The City of Bekasi is a Jakarta’s buffer zone that experiences urban sprawl phenomena. The symptoms of urban sprawl in Bekasi City lead to the conversion process and resulted the densification of settlements in sub-urban areas. To control the land use caused by sprawl phenomena, it is necessary to identify the area and sprawl characteristics. This study used two approaches 1) to measure the urban sprawl index, 2) to analyze the sprawl’s characteristics in each village were identified as sprawl. The urban sprawl index is determined by the difference between the household ratio and built-up area ratio. Furthermore, the analysis of sprawl’s characteristic is using spatial analysis method. The variables in analyzing sprawl characteristics consists population density and building density. The results of this study indicate that1) 29 village or 51.79% village in Bekasi City identified as sprawl, and 2). From 29 villages, 10 villages indicate as low population density, and 9 villages indicate as low building densities.

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The characteristic of urban sprawl in Bekasi City, Indonesia
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The 5th International Seminar on Sustainable Urban Development
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 737 (2021) 012029
IOP Publishing
doi:10.1088/1755-1315/737/1/012029
1
The characteristic of urban sprawl in Bekasi City, Indonesia
D P Sari, A S Wartaman* and M N Luru
Department of Urban and Regional Planning Department, Faculty of Landscape
Architecture and Environmental Technology, Universitas Trisakti, Jakarta, Indonesia
*asitawati@trisakti.ac.id
Abstract. This study aims to identify areas and sprawl characteristics in Bekasi City. The City
of Bekasi is a Jakarta’s buffer zone that experiences urban sprawl phenomena. The symptoms of
urban sprawl in Bekasi City lead to the conversion process and resulted the densification of
settlements in sub-urban areas. To control the land use caused by sprawl phenomena, it is
necessary to identify the area and sprawl characteristics. This study used two approaches 1) to
measure the urban sprawl index, 2) to analyze the sprawl’s characteristics in each village were
identified as sprawl. The urban sprawl index is determined by the difference between the
household ratio and built-up area ratio. Furthermore, the analysis of sprawl’s characteristic is
using spatial analysis method. The variables in analyzing sprawl characteristics consists
population density and building density. The results of this study indicate that1) 29 village or
51.79% village in Bekasi City identified as sprawl, and 2). From 29 villages, 10 villages indicate
as low population density, and 9 villages indicate as low building densities.
1. Introduction
The urban sprawl phenomenon occurs in all the metropolitan cities around the world [1]. This
phenomenon also occurs in Jabodetabek area. Generally, the phenomenon of urban sprawl in
Jabodetabek area is caused by the economic activities of DKI Jakarta. The urban sprawl phenomenon
can be seen by the uncontrolled development of residential areas in sub-urban areas. Bekasi City is one
of Jakarta’s buffer zone. This situation has caused Bekasi City to receive various activities, both the
economic activities and residential developments. Every year, the additional area of built-up areas in
Bekasi City is an averages 9.03% or 234.64 Ha, with the largest expansion occurring in residential areas
of 125.67 Ha [2].
In the early days of its development, Bekasi City grew unplanned and its population spread in a
sprawl pattern [3]. Urban sprawl symptoms in Bekasi City resulted in the process of conversion of an
agricultural land conversion into non-agricultural land that causes settlement densification (compaction)
in suburban areas [4]. To manage the uncontrolled land use, it is necessary to first identify the
characteristics of the areas that experience sprawl. Based on this, this study aims to analyze the
characteristics of sprawl in areas were identified as sprawl in Bekasi City.
Urban sprawl as a phenomenon began to develop in the second half of the 20th century, along with
the rapid increase in population. The rapid increase in population led to the city development pattern
towards the sub urban areas and finally conversing agricultural and forest lands. Urban sprawl
phenomenon occurs in various forms that are closely related to geographical, economic and institutional
contexts [5].

The 5th International Seminar on Sustainable Urban Development
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 737 (2021) 012029
IOP Publishing
doi:10.1088/1755-1315/737/1/012029
2
Urban sprawl can be defined in many different ways. The European Environment Agency describes
urban sprawl as a low density physical expansion from large urban areas to the surrounding agricultural
areas [5]. In addition, Bruegmann defines urban sprawl as an unplanned, dispersed, low-density urban
development, affected by numbers of suburban cars, without land use planning [5]. Other experts argue
that urban sprawl is an uncontrolled and unplanned city growth [6].
Most researchers argue that the main causes of sprawl are urban population growth, government
policies, highway system development, widespread use of cars, economic prosperity, and the
democratization of society [7]. In addition, Siedentop cites that the demand for urban land and urban
planning are the two main causes of sprawl. Other researchers, namely Gordon and Richardson argue
that natural economic factor is the cause sprawl [7].
On several cities in India, a number of studies have found that rapid urbanization and migration are
the most significant causes of urban sprawl [7]. Other researchers stated that underdevelopment and lack
of employment opportunities in rural areas and small towns are the biggest causes of migration to urban
areas which cause urban sprawl in the Gautama Buddha Nagar district of India [8]. Other important
causes of migration to the district are the availability of employment or income opportunities, proximity
to Delhi, and a relatively lower rental values in the region [8]. Apart from the above, basically urban
sprawl occurs due to a rapid increase in population, both natural growth and migration. The driving
factor for the urbanization is the hope for a better future [9]. On the other hand, the existence of a lower
rent, easy access to urban areas, attracts these migrants to occupy these areas randomly. Apart from the
above, measuring urban sprawl is the right way to develop policies [10]. Sprawl needs to be surveyed
and recognized to improve the quality of policy development.
2. Research methodology
This study utilizes two approaches, (1) calculating the sprawl index to identify the sprawl region, and
(2) analyzing the characteristics of the sprawl in the areas identified as sprawl. The analysis unit is
limited on village level. Sprawl index calculation is done by the difference between the household’s
ratio and built-up ratio [11]. If the difference between the household’s ratio and built-up ratio shows a
value of < 0, then the area is identified as "Sprawl" [11]. On the ot her hand, if the difference between
the household’s ratio and built-up ratio shows a value of > 0, then the area is identified as "Compact"
[11].
In this study, the analysis of sprawl characteristics uses 2 sprawl characteristic variables. These
variable are population density, and building density. The two variables are classified into 3 ranges of
low, medium, and high. The classification is done by range method.
𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 = (𝐻𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 − 𝐿𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒)/3 [12] (1)
Furthermore, the analysis of the characteristics of the sprawl is done by overlaying the urban sprawl
area with population and building density. The data utilized in this research is as Table 1.
Table 1. Data requirements.
Variables
Indicators
Type of Data
Sprawl
Index
Household Ratio
Secondary
Built-up Ratio
Secondary
Population
Density
Total Population
Secondary
Built-up Areas
Secondary
Building
Density
Building Unit
Secondary
Built-up Areas
Secondary

The 5th International Seminar on Sustainable Urban Development
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 737 (2021) 012029
IOP Publishing
doi:10.1088/1755-1315/737/1/012029
3
3. Results and discussion
3.1. Sprawl area identification
The identification of sprawl areas in Bekasi City is conducted by utilizing the household ratio formula,
reduced by the built-up ratio. Based on the results, it was identified that out of 56 villages in Bekasi
City, 29 villages or 51.79% of them identified as sprawl, 3 villages identified as normal, and 24 villages
were identified as compact. Henceforth, the 29 villages identified as sprawl will be the focus of this
research for further analysis. According to Bhatta, this approach is highly useful for conducting sprawl
analysis between cities or between zones in a built area, but it still unable to show the absolute of sprawl
size [11].
Villages identified as sprawl in Bekasi City include Jatikarya, Jatirangga, Jatiraden in Jatisampurna
Subdistrict. Jatiluhur, Jatiasih and Jatimekar sub-districts in Jatiasih District; Jatimurni and Jatimelati
Sub-Districts in Pondok Melati District; Jatiwaringin, Jatibening, and Jaticempaka villages in Pondok
Gede District. Other kelurahan include Bintarajaya, Bintara, and Jakasampurna Kelurahan in the District
of West Bekasi; Medan Satria Village in Medansatria District; Harapan Jaya Village, Kaliabang Tengah,
and Marga Mulya in North Bekasi District; Pekayon Jaya and Marga Jaya sub-districts in South Bekasi
District; Margahayu Village, Bekasi Jaya, Duren Jaya and Aren Jaya in East Bekasi District. Meanwhile,
the rest are Bojong Rawalumbu Village in Rawalumbu District; Pedurenan Village, and Cimuning in
Mustika Jaya District; Cikiwul and Bantargebang sub-districts in Bantargebang District. The location
of villages identified as sprawl can be seen on Figure 1.
3.2. Sprawl characteristics
3.2.1. Population density. The calculation of population density is conducted by dividing the total
population and built-up area. Population density is one of several approaches to assess sprawl
characteristics in each village. The lower the value of population density in an area identified as sprawl,
indicates that the higher the value of sprawl of this area.
The results of population density show that the highest population density is located in Kaliabang
Tengah Village in North Bekasi District with a density level of 363,421 People/Ha, while the lowest
population density is located in Jatirangga Village in Jatisampurna District with a density level of 61,
021 People/Ha. Based on the two population density values, the following population density
classification is obtained: low population density with a range of classes of 61,021-161,821; moderate
population density with class range of 161,821-262,621, and high population density with class range
of 262,621-363,421.
Based on the overlays results between sprawl areas and population density, 10 villages are identified
as sprawl with low population density, 13 villages are identified as sprawl with moderate population
density, and 6 villages are identified as sprawl with high population density. Villages identified as low
density sprawl include Jatikarya, Jatirangga, Jatiluhur, Jatiasih, Jatimekar, Jatimurni, Jatimelati, Medan
Satria, Cikiwul, and Bantargebang. Villages identified as sprawl with moderate population density
include Jatiraden, Jatiwaringin, Jatibening, Jaticempaka, Jakasampurna, Marga Mulya, Pekayon Jaya,
MargaJaya, Margahayu, Bekasi Jaya, Duren Jaya, Bojong Rawalumbu, and Padurenan villages.
Meanwhile, villages identified as sprawl with high population density include Kelurahan Bintarajaya,
Bintara, Harapan Jaya, Kaliabang Tengah, Aren Jaya, and Cimuning. Location of villages identified as
sprawl based on population density characteristics can be seen on Figure 2.
3.2.2. Building density. The calculation of building density is conducted by dividing the number of
building units and built-up area. Building density is also one of numerous approaches to assess the
characteristics of sprawl in each village. The lower the value of the building density in the area identified
as sprawl, indicates that the higher the sprawl value in the area. The results of the calculation of the
building density shows that the highest building density is located in Duren Jaya Village in East Bekasi
District with a building density level of 15,784 Units/Ha, while the lowest building density is located in

The 5th International Seminar on Sustainable Urban Development
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 737 (2021) 012029
IOP Publishing
doi:10.1088/1755-1315/737/1/012029
4
Cikiwul Village in Bantargebang District with a density level of 4,650 Units / Ha. Based on the two
building density values, the following building density classification is obtained: low building density
with a class range of 4,650-8,361 units / Ha; medium building density with class range of 8,361-12,072,
and high population density with class range of 12,072-15,784.
Based on the overlays results between sprawl areas and building densities, 9 villages were identified
as sprawls with low building density, 15 villages were identified as sprawl with medium building
densities, and 5 villages were identified as sprawl with high building densities. Villages identified as
sprawl with low building density include Jatikarya, Jatirangga, Jatimurni, Jatimelati, Pekayon Jaya,
Padurenan, Bojong Rawalumbu, Cikiwul, and Bantargebang. Villages identified as sprawl with medium
building density include Jatiraden, Jatiluhur, Jatiasih, Jatimekar, Jatiwaringin, Jatibening, Medan Satria,
Marga Mulya, Margahayu, Bekasi Jaya, Aren Jaya, Bintarjaya, Jakasampurna, Cimuning, and
Margajaya. Meanwhile, villages identified as sprawl with high building densities include Kelurahan
Kaliabang Tengah, Harapan Jaya, Duren Jaya, Jaticempaka, and Bintara. Location of villages identified
as sprawl based on the characteristics of building density can be seen on Figure 2.
Figure 1. Sprawl region in Bekasi City, 2020.
Figure 1 show that most of the areas affected by sprawl in Bekasi City are located near freeways. Several
freeway entrances/exits connect areas, located remotely from the city. Highway construction has
facilitated the movement of people from a longer distance to the city, so that it will accelerate the
development of residential areas connected to the highway. This phenomenon is in line with a theory
which states that one of the causes of sprawl phenomenon is the growth of the highway system [7].
In urban development, the growth of the road network will produce a double effect. On one hand, a
good transportation network is a must to support a city's economic growth. However, on the other hand,
the development of transportation, especially tolls and highways can cause urban sprawl. This research
provides empirical evidence that the growth of the transportation network tends to influence the
occurrence of urban sprawl in Bekasi City. The phenomenon of urban sprawl in Bekasi City tends to
have similarities with urban sprawl phenomenon America. In America, massive highway construction
causes urban sprawl, because these roads connect areas located remotely from cities [7]. Development
of urban sprawl in Bekasi City also tends to have similarities with the general pattern of urban sprawl
in other developing countries [7]. Urban sprawl along the highway is known as the "ribbon sprawl" [7].

The 5th International Seminar on Sustainable Urban Development
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 737 (2021) 012029
IOP Publishing
doi:10.1088/1755-1315/737/1/012029
5
Figure 2. Characteristics of urban sprawl based on population density in Bekasi City, 2020.
Population density serves as an important indicator for sprawl measurement [13]. Ewing indicates that
sprawl might be able to occur when the rate of land conversion to non-agriculture or non-natural land
utilization exceeds the rate of population growth [13]. In other words, urban sprawl can be considered
related to low development density, and related to low population density.
As pictured in Figure 2, urban sprawl characteristics based on population density in Bekasi City show
that sprawl characteristics of low and moderate population density are located close to the road network,
while sprawl characteristics of high population density levels are located on the border areas of DKI
Jakarta and Bekasi District. This indicates that areas located close to the road network have higher
sprawl values compared to sprawl that are located in the bordering areas.
Figure 3. Characteristics of urban sprawl based on building density in Bekasi City, 2020.

The 5th International Seminar on Sustainable Urban Development
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 737 (2021) 012029
IOP Publishing
doi:10.1088/1755-1315/737/1/012029
6
From the overlays results between sprawl areas and building densities in Bekasi City, it appears that the
sprawl characteristics of high building density levels are located close to the road network and urban
areas (Figure 3). This phenomenon is interesting, the sprawl characteristics based on the level of building
density are overlayed with the sprawl characteristics based on the level of population density, it indicates
that the growth of buildings along the highway is higher than the population growth. The results of this
study tend to be parallel with Ewing's statement that sprawl can be occurs when the rate of conversion
of land to non-agriculture utilization exceeds the rate of population growth.
4. Conclusion
Based on the results of the study, 51.07% of villages in Bekasi City were identified as sprawl. Sprawl
with low and moderate population densities characteristics are generally located along the road network,
similarly as sprawl with high density building characteristics. The growth of the transportation network
tends to affect the occurrence of urban sprawl in Bekasi City. In addition, urban sprawl in Bekasi City
is also indicated to be resulted from the rate of conversion of land to non-agriculture utilization beyond
the population growth rate.
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