A study on urban spatial patterns of riverside settlement: a case study of Musi Riverside, Palembang

Abstract

The riverside settlements in Palembang are located in wetlands in the form of tidal swamps. This natural condition affects the formation of the urban spatial patterns because all local people activities are carried out on swamp land. Studies on the urban spatial patterns of riverside settlements are intended to obtain the consideration in wetland urban spatial planning, especially in Zoning Regulations, as a tool in building permision. The research method was a case study method consisting of field research and questionnaires distributed to the local community. The location took place in three riverside settlements. The analysis used descriptive analysis for field survey result and likert scale measurements for questionnaire result. The analysis showed that the riverside settlements had unique characteristics because most of the people activities took place above the water. The boundaries of neighborhood units were formed by rivers and roads. The patterns of villages and buildings had two orientations: the road and to the river. The urban spatial patterns in riverside settlement consisted of three patterns: linear patterns, grid patterns, cluster patterns and combinations, due to the natural conditions and the limitations of the material used to form the structure of the road. Buildings and roads in the area were made above the water (on stilts structure), and the height of the stilts considered the water level at the highest tide. The results of this study could be used as consideration in determining the design criteria of urban spatial planning in the riverside settlement.