Examining small-town growth and expansion in peri-urban areas of small cities: Evidence from peripheries of three small cities in central java

Abstract

Urbanization in small and medium-sized cities in Java is marked by an urban expansion process to the surrounding areas, forming the growing small towns in their peripheries. Using the case of the extended urban areas of Tegal, Pekalongan and Magelang in Central Java, this study examined small-town growth and development in peri-urban areas of small and medium cities. It first looked at the growth of small towns in the peri-urban areas of these small cities and then identified various factors and mechanisms that contribute to the formation, growth and expansion of small towns. The study further looked into the challenges and implications of the trend toward policies for managing such processes more sustainably. The growth of urbanized villages in some kabupatens (non-urban districts or regencies) surrounding these small cities, as documented by the national statistical board from 1990 to 2017, was used as the basis for analyzing these factors. This paper concludes with a discussion on the challenges and policy implications for growing small towns. The findings of this study can be useful for formulating a better approach to managing urbanization processes in the future.