Smart Community in Public Toilet Management in Demaan Slum Settlement, Jepara Regency

Abstract

One program in sanitation improvement is the construction of public toilets in coastal slums located in Demaan, Jepara Regency. The public toilets construction is a substitute for the helicopter latrines above the sea. However, most of public toilets still cannot be beneficial to the community, because there are many obstacles in its management. The purpose of this study is to examine the form of public toilet management in coastal slums with smart community approach in Demaan. The research approach uses qualitative methods. Data collection techniques are done by observation and in-depth interviews. Sampling technique using snowball method. The informants are the community who is user of public toilets, public toilet management institutions and government agencies related to the construction of public toilets. Data analysis using qualitative descriptive method and Engagement-Participation-Empowerment method. Based on the analysis result, community empowerment include establishing public toilet management institutions along with regulations and financial management, as well as developing economic values and the benefits of public toilets by adding other potential functions/activities accompanied by the use of information technology in the form of the internet. Smart communities for the development and management of public toilets can be achived if smart people have succeeded according to their ability, openness, thinking, flexibility and creativity in utilizing proper toilets.