Provision of urban services in an informal settlement: a case study of Kampung Penas Tanggul, Jakarta

In Jakarta, the majority of the poor provide their own shelter in spontaneous informal settlements. Such informal settlements are often formed without land titles. Land and buildings are acquired without authorization from government. Their illegal land occupancy status has deprived them of citizenship rights and access to basic infrastructure and services. However, many of these settlements have found ways to survive and gain access to urban services by their own means. NGOs in Indonesia have played a crucial role in mobilizing the resources of the urban poor community. Despite this, there is little research on how these NGOs are intervening in the provision and management of urban services.

This paper examines the struggle of one community in an informal settlement known as Kampung Penas Tanggul. Located along the riverbank of Cipinang River in East Jakarta, this close knit community has lived under pressure of threatened eviction and lack of infrastructure. Over time, with the assistance of a NGO, the community has developed a perception of secure tenure in the settlement, which in turn has generated increased community investment in infrastructure and house consolidation. The research shows that positive perception on security of tenure is important in encouraging the community to invest in their settlement. The NGO has played an important role in mobilizing the community's resources and building their confidence in developing their settlement. The political reformation in Indonesia has also brought new hope to communities living in illegal settlements. Analysis of this ‘successful’ case helps us understand alternative ways of delivering urban services as well as alerting us to opportunities for positive collaboration among relevant stakeholders.