Jayapura, Papua—Cultural Identity
and Urban Transformation: A Comparative Study of Papuan and Metropolitan Cities
of Southeast Asia. This research was conducted by Dr. Lazarus Ramandei and Dr.
Yohanis Yulius Wanane from Cenderawasih University, Jayapura, and will be
published in the East Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (EAJMR)
in 2026.
Research conducted by Dr. Lazarus
Ramandei and Dr. Yohanis Yulius Wanane revealed that the level of preservation
of cultural identity in Papuan cities is much lower than in Southeast Asian
metropolitan cities such as Jakarta, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur.
Indigenous
Peoples Become Minorities in Their Own Cities
One of the most
crucial findings is the change in demographic composition. In Jayapura,
indigenous Papuans are now around 35% of the city's population. In Sorong it is
around 30%, and in Merauke it is less than 25%. This condition is different
from the comparative city, where the local ethnic group still has a relatively
more stable social and political position.
When indigenous
peoples become a minority on ancestral lands, the impact is not only on
population statistics, but also on spatial control, public policy, and city
symbols. An indigenous leader in Jayapura described how traditional meeting
rooms were transformed into commercial areas, while sacred sites lost
protection.
72% of
Cultural Space Lost in Two Decades
Spatial
analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) shows a drastic loss of
cultural space. In the period 2004–2024, Papuan cities lost 72.3% of cultural
sites, while comparative cities lost 37.5% on average.
The average
distance of Papuans to the nearest cultural location increased from about 1.2
kilometers to 5.6 kilometers. In Jakarta, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur, the
distance increase was relatively more controlled, about 2.4 kilometers. This
means that cultural practices are not only eroded symbolically, but also
physically and geographically. As cultural spaces are increasingly remote and
difficult to access, the participation of the younger generation is also
declining.
Ten
Indicators of Cultural Identity
The research
team developed a Cultural Identity Index based on ten indicators, including the
use of regional languages, participation in traditional ceremonies, access to
cultural spaces, traditional architecture, culture-based economy, and symbolic
landscapes.
All dimensions
show lower scores in Papua, especially in:
- Cultural Architecture (1,9)
- Customary governance (2,2)
- Access to cultural space (2,4)
Statistical
analysis found three most decisive factors in maintaining cultural identity:•
Percentage of indigenous population• Density of cultural space• Level of
political representation
The Five
Mechanisms of Cultural Erosion
This study
identifies five main mechanisms that accelerate the erosion of cultural
identity in Papua:
- Demographic dislocation – Massive migration is
changing the social structure of cities.
- Commodification of space – Cultural land is
defeated by commercial interests.
- Institutional exclusion – Indigenous voices
are minimal in urban planning.
- Economic marginalization – The income of
indigenous households is lower than that of non-indigenous households.
- Epistemic violence – Indigenous knowledge and
value systems are not recognized in spatial planning policy.
In contrast,
Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur show that cultural preservation can go hand in hand
with modern development if there is institutional support, conservation zones,
and clear legal protections.
Recommended:
Urban Cultural Resilience Framework
As a solution,
Ramandei and Wanane proposed an Integrated Cultural Resilience Framework
(ICRF), which includes:
1.
Determination and legal protection of cultural
districts.
2.
Integration of traditional architecture in
public buildings.
3.
Strengthening the authority of customary
institutions in decision-making.
4.
Economic support for indigenous peoples'
cultural businesses.
5.
Integration of local knowledge in urban
planning.
6.
Routine measurement of cultural identity index
as a policy evaluation tool.
This framework
affirms that urbanization does not have to erase cultural identity, as long as
there is an inclusive political and policy commitment.
Implications
for Papua and Southeast Asia
For Papua, this
finding is a warning signal that without structural intervention, cultural
erosion can reach a crisis point within a generation. The implementation of
Special Autonomy is considered to need to be strengthened so that indigenous
peoples have real authority in spatial planning and development.
Regionally, the
study is relevant for other regions of Southeast Asia that are experiencing
rapid urbanization. The main question is not whether the city will develop, but
who is accommodated in the development.
Author
Profile
1.
Lazarus Ramandei – Cenderawasih
University, Jayapura.
2.
Yohanis Yulius Wanane – Cenderawasih
University, Jayapura.
Research
Source
Ramandei, L., &
Wanane, Y. Y. (2026). Cultural Identity and Urban Transformation:
Comparative Study of Papuan Cities and Southeast Asian Metropolitan Areas.
East Asian Journal
of Multidisciplinary Research (EAJMR), Vol. 5 No. 2, pp. 767–780.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/eajmr.v5i2.16
Official URL : https://journaleajmr.my.id/index.php/eajmr
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