YOGYAKARTA – The implementation of coastal reclamation policy should not violate human rights. It also should reflect public policy, policy which is essentially devoted to the public interest. Physical environment impact of reclamation must be considered carefully, taking into account the worsening environmental condition because of various external factors. The reclamation that is recommended is mainly for the land that separates from the mainland.
"The social environment of local community should be considered when a policy on natural resource changes is made," said Dra Hartuti Purnaweni, MPA in her doctoral promotion exam at UGM Graduate School on Saturday (20/11).
In her dissertation entitled Impact of Coastal Reclamation Policy on Physical and Social Environment in Semarang City, Hartuti described that her focus of research conducted in 1987 was on reclamation policy in the coastal city of Semarang, especially in Tawang Mas and Tawangsari Villages, West Semarang Sub-district,. Meanwhile, the location for research was the reclaimed area at Tawang Sari Village, and Tawang Mas Village in south Tawangsari region. Both are located in West Semarang Sub-district.
The field study revealed that the initial idea aiming at realizing the Central Java Provincial Government’s plan to overcome transport problems by building new roads in coastal areas (organizational value), had developed into the commercial development for society welfare (the policy value).
Apparently, there were other more fundamental values, namely the realization of the value held by the ruler at that time (personal value), with the construction of Development Promotion Fair and Puri Maerokoco or Central Java’s Mini Garden that would showcase the province’s development. Both were said only as complement of development activities in the coastal area of Semarang.
"The plan was touted to the public so they knew that the government would build the Fair without knowing that the area would be developed into residential and commercial areas," he added.
Unfortunately, on policy implementation, it can be said that society was not involved and had no role at all. The government and the private managed the whole policy implementation, ranging from socialization to physical development. The impact of reclamation on physical environment was the changing of course of Tawang Mas River and Ronggolawe River, which later caused more severe floods because the drainage system did not work properly.
"As a result, reclamation impacts on the changing patterns of sea currents, the loss of public access to coastal areas, and destruction of mangrove plant area," said Hartuti. The reclamation also affects the social environment. Large immigrant population has changed the pattern of relational community.
Therefore, Hartuti proposed that the future planning for reclamation policy should accommodate the public interest more, because the beach as an important natural resource and as a common property should be utilized well for the public interest. If necessary, coastal environmental policy of Semarang City can be drafted in the form of local regulation, which would benefit not only employers, but also community.
In the doctor promotional exam, Hartuti successfully graduated with honors. Her examiners were Prof. Dr. Yeremias T. Keban, MURP, Prof. Dr. P. Sudharto Hadi, MES, Prof. dr Sudarmadji, M.Eng.Sc., Dr Projo Danoedoro, Dr M Baiquni, MA, Prof. Dr. A.J. Suhardjo, MA and Dr Sunarto, MS.