YOGYAKARTA- The increasing gated community in various cities is predicted to make social gap more open. In addition, the emergence of gated community is prossible to cause acts of crime, even social conflict.
UGM sociologist, Prof. Dr. Sunyoto Usman, M.A., said that with the increase of gated community, such as the elite estates with high walls that cause the impression of closure, will create social jealousy for the people outside the housing. "It will bring social conflict, gap, jealousy, and crime," Sunyoto said at the 3rd International Graduate Student Conference on Indonesia (IGSC) under the theme Indonesian Urban Cultures and Societies in UGM Graduate School, Tuesday (8/11).
Sunyoto said that the spread of gated community is partly due to government’s policy that gives permission or recommendation to the private sector in spatial possesion. Under this condition, Sunyoto assessed that urban social problems in Indonesia will be heavier. The condition in Indonesia, Sunyoto said, is unlike in foreign countries where people are in equal economic condition.
"Although in foreign countries elite estates are spreading, their communities are in economic levels which are quite equal. In contrast to Indonesia, the gap between rich and poor is still open," he said.
The existence of elite estates which seem closed not only brings the residents farther away from the surrounding community but also makes it difficult to control. As the result, negative activities such as the circulation of illegal drugs or terrorism cannot be monitored. On the other hand, the children in the housing will also become introverted and difficult to mingle freely with people outside the housing.
"How heads of the neighbourhood or others can monitor the conditions inside when the housing is closed like that," the UGM Professor said.
To overcome this problem, the government needs to review the granting of elite residential establishment permit that has been relatively easy so far, or stop this if necessary. In addition, group or social activities that can bridge the communities of the housing with the community outside the housing need also to be made. One of the activities that can be done is through religious activities.
Meanwhile IGSC steering committee, Dr. Wening Udasmoro, S.S, M. Hum., DEA explained that the event held over two days (8-9 November) was followed by more than 100 participants with 96 presenters delivering paper materials. The participants came from domestic and foreign countries such as U.S., Germany, and Japan.