Settlements Growth and Development in Semarang City Centre Area, Indonesia

Bitta PIGAWATI*1, Nany YULIASTUTI1, Fadjar Hari MARDIANSJAH1
* Corresponding author
1University of Diponegoro, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Semarang, INDONESIA
E-mail: pigawati@gmail.com, nanyuliastuti@gmail.com, fadjar_mardiansjah@yahoo.com
Pages: 99-109

Abstract. Semarang is among the important metropolitan regions of Indonesia, and it is affected by the growth and development of the composing residential areas, especially in the central area. The main focus of this research is to analyse and understand the current problems, including aspects of land use, residential patterns, residential development directions, and characteristics of the communities in residential growth areas. We used Quick Bird image data as the primary data source, and maps and statistical data as the secondary. Descriptive statistics and spatial analysis were used in analysing the data. Semarang city centre area consisting of six districts that were selected as study area. Results indicate that there has been a 2.08% expansion of residential areas during a decade, from 2006 to 2016. Population in the expansion areas increased by 4.33%, while the majority of the population has average education level. They mostly work in manufacturing industries, construction, and various trade and services facilities. There are three residential patterns identified in the study area, i.e., clustered, random and dispersed. Although much land suitable for residential use is still available in the study area we learned that growth of residential areas occurs also in areas with land unsuitable for this particular use, such as preserved and disaster-prone areas. These findings can help planners to reformulate policies and strategies for future residential development.

K e y w o r d s:  residential development, residential growth, metropolitan area, city centre, built-up area, land-use