Who Gains and Benefits from the Outcomes of Formal Urban Governance for Basic Urban Services

Abstract

This Chapter explores the nexus between the formal planning objectives for Jayapura and the outcomes ‘on the ground’ as reflected in plan implementation. Spatial planning outcomes include the implementation of the Spatial Plan of Jayapura and the Detailed Spatial Plans and their impact on the urban quality of life. The outcomes of spatial planning include the distribution of resources allocated for settlement improvement as indicated in the plans. The implementation of Law No. 21 of 2001 regarding the Special Autonomy for Papua residents in Jayapura provides an opportunity for the local government to modify the planning outputs to be more ‘flexible and responsive’ to local basic urban service needs. Thus, it is observed that the upper level tools of formal governance such as the Spatial Plan of Jayapura and the Detailed Spatial Plans are more rigid, while lower levels are more fluid and responsive to local needs and circumstances. Spatial planning, for example, benefits stakeholders who are directly involved in the planning process and is primarily oriented to residents who live in the planned settlements. On the other hand, development planning benefits a wider range of target groups such as those defined by Law No. 21 of 2001. The development planning process has strong connections to sectoral planning priorities and provides greater flexibility to address the wider needs of marginalized ethnic groups, such as Papuan customary land owners in the unplanned settlements. As a result, a range of self-organized basic urban services have evolved ‘on the ground’ especially in informal settlements.