Tripartite Synergy in the Urban Agrarian Reform Model for the Legality of Low-Income Community Settlements

Abstract

Urban development in Indonesia reflects a persistent paradox: rapid growth coexists with unequal access to land and housing for low-income communities. The urban population increased from 53.3% in 2015 to 56.39% in 2022, while slum areas still covered approximately 88,662.69 hectares nationwide, including 8,912.33 hectares in Central Java. This condition forces many low-income residents to occupy land informally without legal certainty, exposing them to eviction and social vulnerability. This study aims to examine a collaborative urban agrarian reform model based on tripartite synergy among government, academics, and civil society to support settlement legalization. The research employs a normative juridical method with an interdisciplinary approach integrating legal analysis, spatial justice theory, and public policy. The findings reveal that fragmented regulations, weak institutional coordination, and top-down governance approaches hinder effective legalization. In cities such as Semarang, many informal settlements potentially qualify as land objects of agrarian reform but remain unaddressed due to administrative and regulatory constraints. This study proposes a collaborative model involving participatory land identification, legal status assessment, and integrated cross-sectoral policy implementation. It concludes that tripartite synergy enhances legal certainty, reduces land conflicts, and supports inclusive and sustainable urban development by aligning legal frameworks with social realities.

Keywords

• Urban Agrarian Reform
• Tripartite Collaboration
• Settlement Legalization
• Low-Income Communities
• Spatial Justice