Realised pedestrian accessibility of an informal settlement in Jakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

To date, little is known about the interplay between transport, land use and the social systems that influence potential and realised accessibility in Southeast Asia. This paper aims to understand these relationships in an informal settlement – a kampong – at the edge of the upscale Menteng district, Jakarta. We applied a mixed-methods approach of (1) a computational street network analysis using space syntax, (2) video analysis to understand travel behaviour and land use and (3) an analysis of street users’ experiences collected through interviews. Our findings indicated that the pedestrian accessibility was not fully realised due to unsupportive land uses and negative perceptions of walking experienced by kampong inhabitants. Marginalised groups became captive pedestrians limited in their mobility choices. This study provides insights into Jakarta’s informal settlements and how urban planning can contribute to sustainable development for inclusive, safe, and resilient cities.