Economic Capacity and Social Values Key to Smart Home Adoption in Bekasi Modern Housing

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FORMOSA NEWS - Bekasi - The success of smart home technology in modern residential areas depends more on a family’s economic capacity and social values than on the technical sophistication of the devices themselves. This finding comes from a comprehensive study conducted by Zulkifli Puteh, James E.D. Rilatupa, and Aryantono Martowidjojo from the Universitas Kristen Indonesia (UKI). Published in early 2026 in the Formosa Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, the research examined how residents in the Grand Duta City Bekasi housing complex adapt to automated home systems. The study is vital as Indonesia strives to meet national emission reduction targets, with the housing sector contributing significantly to the country's carbon footprint.

The Rise of Smart Housing in Urban Buffer Zones

As Jakarta’s primary buffer region, Bekasi Regency has seen rapid infrastructure development and a massive influx of residents seeking affordable landed housing. Grand Duta City Bekasi represents this modern shift, with thousands of units designed to include "adaptive smart home" features like automated lighting, climate control, and security systems. These technologies are intended to enhance energy efficiency and resident comfort.

However, the implementation of these high-tech solutions often hits a wall. While the construction sector accounts for nearly 24.6% of Indonesia's national greenhouse gas emissions, simply installing smart devices does not guaranteed they will be used effectively. The researchers from Universitas Kristen Indonesia argue that the human element—specifically how technology fits into a family's budget and social life—is the missing link in sustainable housing strategies.

Measuring Human Adaptation: The Methodology

The research team employed a quantitative approach to test how social and economic factors influence technology use. Between September 2025 and January 2026, they surveyed 144 residents of landed housing units in Grand Duta City Bekasi.

Using a statistical method called multiple linear regression, the study analyzed three primary variables:

• Social Values and Relationships (X1): How well the technology aligns with family norms, supports daily chores, and affects interaction between household members.
• Economic Context and Accessibility (X2): The financial ability of the household to afford the devices, the monthly operational costs, and the user’s level of digital literacy.
• User Adaptation (Y): The final measure of how frequently and comfortably residents integrated the technology into their daily routines.

Key Findings: Money and Values Matter Most

The data revealed that social and economic factors are powerful predictors of technology adoption, explaining 86.2% of the variation in how residents used their smart home features.

The study's key results include:

• Economic Dominance: Economic context and accessibility emerged as the most influential factor. Residents are far more likely to adapt to smart systems if the devices are affordable to maintain and easy to access without specialized training.
• Social Alignment: Technology that conflicts with a family’s habits or social values often faces resistance. Conversely, when a smart home system supports domestic routines and strengthens household bonds, adaptation is sustainable.
• Simultaneous Impact: The researchers proved that social and economic factors do not work in isolation; they jointly determine whether a smart home functions as a useful tool or an expensive ornament.
• The Literacy Gap: Even if a resident can afford the technology, a lack of digital literacy—defined as the ease of use and understanding—remains a barrier to full adaptation.

Real-World Impact and Policy Implications

The findings from Zulkifli Puteh and his colleagues at Universitas Kristen Indonesia have immediate implications for housing developers, technology providers, and urban planners.

For the industry, the message is clear: "smart" must also mean "affordable" and "culturally relevant". Developers are encouraged to design systems that focus on user-friendliness rather than just technical complexity. If a system is too expensive to run or too difficult for an average family to operate, it fails as a sustainable housing solution.

Policymakers can also use this data to support "inclusive" smart cities. By providing incentives for affordable green technology and investing in community digital literacy programs, local governments can ensure that the benefits of smart homes are not limited to the wealthy.

As the researchers note, "The successful implementation of smart home technology strongly depends on its alignment with community social values, supported by economic capacity and ease of access". This sociotechnical perspective ensures that modern housing in regions like Bekasi actually contributes to Indonesia’s environmental goals while improving the residents' quality of life.

Author Profiles

• Zulkifli Puteh, B.Arch., M.Arch. (Cand.): A researcher in the Graduate Program of the Master of Architecture at Universitas Kristen Indonesia. His work focuses on the intersection of urban housing and digital technology adaptation.
• James E.D. Rilatupa, Ph.D.: A senior academic and researcher at Universitas Kristen Indonesia, specializing in architectural technology and sustainable residential design.
• Aryantono Martowidjojo, M.T.: An expert in urban planning and architecture at Universitas Kristen Indonesia, with a research focus on sociotechnical systems in modern Indonesian cities.

Source Research

Article Title: The Influence of Social Values and Economic Context on User Adaptation to Adaptive Smart Homes in Grand Duta City Bekasi Journal Name: Formosa Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (FJMR) Publication Year: 2026 Official DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.55927/fjmr.v5i1.687