Jakarta: Claiming Spaces and Rights in the City

Jakarta is being transformed in an unknown speed and manner by new types of urban authorities and drivers of transformation. These actors are moving in a field of opportunity that was created by recent and severe changes in the economic, socio-political and natural environment of Jakarta.

Including chapters written by contributors who have lived and worked in Jakarta for years, this book shows how urban space in Jakarta is increasingly created by the entanglement of different layers that co-exist in political and socio-economic life, with actors criss-crossing between formal and informal spheres. In each case the authors explore who are the drivers of urban change, and what are the processes in shaping the current and future city of Jakarta. Not denying that former elites are still a critical force in shaping Jakarta, the book analyses to what extent former stakeholders are undermined, and what types of new authorities or social institutions are emerging. It examines how drivers of transformation claim their right to space in the city and how their actions and strategies reflect their vision on the future of Jakarta.

An important addition to the discussion of urban change and development, this book will be of interest to scholars interested in Indonesia, South-East Asia, urbanization, development research, anthropology and globalization.

Jörgen Hellman is Associate Professor in Social Anthropology at the School of Global Studies, Gothenburg University, Sweden. His research includes publications on cultural heritage, religion and politics in Indonesia and more recently also on climate change and floods in Jakarta.

Marie Thynell is Lecturer in Human Ecology, and Associate Professor in Peace and Development Research, School of Global Studies, Gothenburg University, Sweden. Since 2005, she has worked as an expert staff to the Asian Initiative, Environmental Sustainable Transport Forum, and its programme on Sustainable Regional Development, guided by the UNCRD, Nagoya. Marie also teaches Sustainable Cities and Global Cities.

Roanne van Voorst obtained a PhD in Social Anthropology from the Amsterdam Institute of Social Science Research (AISSR), University of Amsterdam in 2014. She currently works as a post-doctoral researcher in a project on humanitarian aid in conflict and disaster settings, in cooperation with Professor Dorothea Hilhorst at the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Erasmus University, The Hague and Rotterdam.