Peri-urbanization of small cities in Java and its impacts on paddy fields: The case of Tegal Urban Region, Indonesia

Abstract

Extended urban formation and peri-urbanization processes have characterized the urbanization process in small cities in Java, the most fertile island that produces more than half of the national rice production. The process has brought the growth of small cities’ urban activities expand to their rural surroundings and reduce the available paddy fields, which increase the impact on greenhouse gas production and spoiling rural resources. Using the case of extended formation in Tegal Region, formed by Tegal City and the two surrounding kabupaten (regencies/districts), this paper aims to discuss the influences of such urbanization process on paddy fields in the region. The analysis uses time serial statistical data gathered from the monograph of the region from 1990 until now. It uses kecamatan (sub-districts) as the observation units that are classified into some groups based on their distance to the city. The result shows that the peri-urbanization process of small cities also brings impacts on the availability of paddy fields, including those that are equipped with technical irrigation systems. Later, a discussion on policy implications of the peri-urbanization process of small cities that can be useful for formulating better approaches in managing small cities’ growth in the future concludes the paper.