The Jakarta Post spoke with Abidin Kusno, a professor at UBC’s Institute of Asian Research, for a story on the destruction of urban villages in Jakarta.
Dozens of urban villages have been cleared out by the city because they either occupy state land or contravene the spatial plan of the city administration.
“The evictions show the administration is unwilling to habilitate residents of urban villages. They should realize that they’re dealing with people who have built their living strategies and relations over a long time,” he said. “It’s a complex issue that cannot actually be accommodated in high-rise residences, like rusunawa [low-cost apartments].”
