Water as Leverage- Setting the scene for a call for action

Water as Leverage for Resilient Cities Asia Setting the Scene for a Call for Action Content
3.1.5 Kampongs
A square pond (‘polder’) forms the largest public
space in the historical colonial center of Semarang,
where many remnants of Dutch colonization can
be found. Around the city are so-called kampongs,
typical socio-spatial structures. Kampongs can be
defined as fenced villages or compounds with a
strong communal character. This system can be
highly resilient: in one kampong, a majority of the
inhabitants implemented small aquaponics systems,
providing the compound with its own food supply.
Small initiatives arise which have the potential to be
scaled up.
An important socio-spatial structure in
Semarang is the kampong. Kampongs can
be defined as fenced villages or compounds
with a strong communal character. Kampongs
generally have a leader who can have a
significant impact on its development. For
instance, there is a kampong in Semarang
where its leader inspired the community to
implement aquaponics, thereby providing the
compound with its own food supply.
In terms of socio-economic groups, wellknown
issues are related to informal
settlements or economies. Semarang
recognizes and prioritizes opportunities in
these neighborhoods. Recently, Kampong
Pelangi has been upgraded, as well as informal
housing in the Tanjungmas district (Esariti,
2009; Coffey, 2017). It is argued that the
informal economy, which is mainly situated
around the river banks and crowded public
spaces, will play a key role in the socioeconomic
emancipation of socially vulnerable
groups and women.
The accessibility of these public areas is also
being investigated. This includes assessing
signage for people with bad eyesight and
reconsidering policies regarding restricted
access for homeless people and women
(Kurniawati, 2012). Given Semarang’s
challenges, the development of these public
spaces could also bring other opportunities,
like the extension of green space in the city,
waste-collection points, distribution of water,
food and perhaps even energy production (i.e.
installation of solar panels).
Even though Semarang currently meets the
energy demand of 2000 MW thanks to the
steam power plant in the northern district of
Tambak Lorok, it is far from free of energy
challenges. Firstly, in 2013, 1,144 blackouts
were reported. Secondly, some parts of the
city still do not have access to the electricity
network. Thirdly, energy consumption is
expected to increase by 75% between
2010 and 2020 (100 Resilient Cities, 2016).
And lastly, energy still mainly comes from
unsustainable sources, such as oil, gas and
coal. In order to overcome these challenges,
Semarang is investing heavily in improving its
energy supply.
The first two challenges, of blackouts and
lack of access to the network, have led to
widespread use of off-grid energy sources.
Households and industry tend to have their
own energy sources such as kerosenepowered
generators and firewood stoves.
Realizing that there are ways to make off-grid
energy sources more sustainable, Semarang
has launched the LPG program in order to
make a transition from kerosene to LPG. This
worked successfully, especially for middle- and
upper-income homes. However, little change
was observed in lower-income homes, as
they kept on using firewood and kerosene or
remained deprived of energy. Nevertheless,
LPG is regarded as a ‘stackable’ energy
source, which lends itself to be combined
with other energy sources (Andadari, Mulder
& Rietveld, 2013). As such, to address the
challenge of increasing the use of sustainable
energy, Semarang is also developing off-grid
solar systems and wind energy systems,
mounted on the roofs of high-rise buildings
(Sari & Kusumaningrum, 2014).
In terms of on-grid energy, and relating to
the third and fourth challenge (the increase
of energy demand and use of unsustainable
energy, respectively), Semarang is currently
experimenting with waste incineration
and biofuels, such as cocoa bean shells
(Fikri, Purwanto & Sunoko, 2015). A recent
achievement in renewable energy has been the
implementation of a micro hydro-energy plant
at Jatibarang, which currently supplies the city
with an additional 1.5 MW (Rohnah, 2013).
Good leadership can
transform a Kampong
into an beautiful and
innovative place as, for
instance, the implementation
of small aquaponics
system.
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Urban Dynamics
PART 2/Background Information on the Partner Cities
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