Questioning Urbanization

After Idul Fitri, we often discuss urbanization as the arrival of rural migrants to the city in search of work. Is there any change in urbanization nowadays?

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

Passengers of the Argo Sindoro train departing from Semarang Tawang Station, Central Java get off at Gambir Station, Jakarta, Thursday (27/4/2023). PT KA operates additional trains during the mudik and return flows of Idul Fitri 2023.

The capital city still remains an attraction for rural migrants who seek job opportunities and a better life. However, without adequate skills, their dreams can turn into new social problems, such as unemployment and poverty.

The Jakarta Office for Population and Civil Registration predicts a rise in the number of rural migrants to Jakarta by up to 40,000 people after Idul Fitri 2023. This trend of increasing migration to Jakarta is observed every year. In 2020, 113,814 migrants were recorded, which further increased to 139,740 people in 2021 and then surged to 151,752 people in 2022.

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"They who come to Jakarta have motivation related to the economy due to the limited job opportunities in their hometown. Jakarta is considered as an economic source because there are job opportunities," said a sociologist from Gadjah Mada University, Arie Sudjito (Kompas, 27/4/2023).

Reading all of this, it seems like urbanization is the same every year. First, Jakarta remains the focus. Second, Jakarta is still considered as a destination for job seekers. The stories and narratives also do not differ. People seem to flock to Jakarta with tired faces. Then it continues with tragic stories. Some become victims of fraud or are caught in a law enforcement operation and have to be sent back to their hometowns.

WILIBRORDUS MEGANDIKA WICAKSONO

As many as 350 people took part in the free homecoming program held by the Banyumas Police from Purwokerto to Jakarta, Wednesday (26/4/2023).

There is a question that arises regarding the description of urbanization like this. Is Jakarta still the center of people's urbanization destination? Jakarta has become an expensive city. Only certain people can afford to live in the city and young families prefer to live in the Jakarta suburbs. In fact, not a few of Jakarta's own residents choose to move to the suburbs.

The movement of people using land transportation from outside the city now also mostly aims for cities in the suburbs of Jakarta, such as Tangerang, South Tangerang, Depok and Bekasi. They no longer stop in the center of Jakarta but head directly to those cities. The point is there are many people who aim for those cities compared to the center of Jakarta itself.

We need to re-examine the meaning and description of urbanization.

The growth of industrial centers in several cities in West Java, Central Java and East Java also weakens the assumption that urbanization always aims for Jakarta. With the provincial minimum wage (UMP) they receive, workers are considered to have a decent living in rural areas, so they no longer need to go to Jakarta.

We need to re-examine the meaning and description of urbanization. Rural areas in Java Island are becoming more urbanized. We need to view this development as an urbanization issue. The migration process in areas like this is more interesting to observe during Lebaran so that decision-makers can develop the economy better. Research on this migration may even give ideas for entrepreneurs to develop new businesses.

This article was translated by Tenggara Strategics.