Stakeholder participation in flood control of Ciliwung river, Jakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

This study aims at investigating the level of participation in flood control activities on the part of community members who live by the Ciliwung river bank. Since the river is quite a long one, it was decided to conduct this study in the area between Kalibata Bridge and Manggarai floodgate, about eight kilometers in length. The study was conducted between October to December 2011. The study focused on natural resources management. The first sub-focus is stakeholder participation, the second is flood control, and the third is the Ciliwung river bank area where recurrent flood occurs. The study questions whether there is community participation in flood control activities within the Ciliwung riverbank area. The paradigm is how the government, together with the community along the Ciliwung riverbank, demonstrate their concern for their environment that is reflected in their taking care of the environment such as preventing themselves from throwing garbage into the river so as not to flood every time it rains. This qualitative study is supported by data collected by means of observations, interviews, and documentation. Findings of the study show a high level of participation expressed in words by the community. Yet, they reported difficulties in putting this into action due to the slum area they are living in, unavailability of road access, and waste resulting from disposal activities of residents forced to use the river. It is therefore not surprising that the river is full of garbage and they experience floods during the rainy season. The government has not sufficiently persudaded the target community to participate in flood control activities. In interviews, the target community stated that they were ready not to throw garbage into the river provided that there is road access, garbage carts or trucks are available fortransporting waste to landfill. We are ready to move from the Ciliwung riverbank areas, where we have lived after our predecessors, provided that a decent substitute place is made available, or some compensation that allows us a decent living is rendered by the government. In fact, the government is planning to normalize the Ciliwung riverbanks and prepare inexpensive flats for the community. In conclusion, the community is willing to participate by not throwing garbage into the river so that the flooding could be controlled, provided that the government be proactive with their assistance by providing road access and waste transport along the Ciliwung riverbanks. Otherwise, the flood problem cannot be controlled. © 2013 WIT Press.