Collaborative Approach for Community Resilience to Natural Disaster: Perspectives on Flood Risk Management in Jakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

The problems of rapid urbanization are particularly acute in megacities and have been exacerbated by climate change, resulting in economic, social, and environmental impacts. Informal settlements within floodplains in Ciliwung River banks in Jakarta, for instance, pose vulnerabilities associated with poverty which is complicated by flood risk. Jakarta’s government has pursued relocation of these populations out of the floodplain to enable normalization of the Ciliwung River, which aim to address flood hazard mitigation for the province. However, the disaster risk reduction strategies have been shifted to river normalization, which is perceived as a more environmentally friendly structural measure. This research investigates how governments, non-governmental organizations and at-risk communities perceive flood risk and collaborate in flood risk management decision-making processes. The paper focuses on at-risk communities living in informal settlements in areas of high flood risk in Jakarta. The research finds that divergent perceptions of flood risk between at-risk communities and the governments impede realization of flood risk reduction goals. In spite of the existence of collaboration during crisis, mismatch of the cross-institutional objectives and strategies within province also implies to the success of the flood risk management plan. This research has practical relevance to improve community resilience relevant to flood risk management not only in Jakarta, but also in other megacities with marginalized populations living in high-risk areas.