Rapid urbanization continues to reshape Indonesian cities, bringing economic opportunities while increasing pressure on housing and public infrastructure. As populations expand, many low-income communities struggle to access adequate housing, sanitation, and waste management services, leading to the growth of informal and slum settlements.
Meranti Pandak Urban Village in Rumbai District, Pekanbaru, has been identified by the Pekanbaru municipal government as one of the city's priority areas for slum settlement improvement. Located near the Siak River, the area faces recurring flood risks, high residential density, inadequate waste management, insufficient sanitation facilities, and limited environmental infrastructure. These conditions make the area a representative case for studying practical strategies to improve urban settlements while supporting sustainable city development.
To evaluate the condition of the settlement, the Universitas Riau research team conducted field observations, structured questionnaires, interviews with residents and government officials, and analysis of official government documents. The study covered 384 hectares, including 13,642 residents, 4,426 housing units, and 2,789 households. A total of 96 respondents participated in the research. Settlement conditions were assessed using Indonesia's official slum settlement indicators, while management strategies were developed through SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis supported by internal and external factor assessments.
The assessment identified 425 households distributed across ten neighborhood units (RTs) within seven community units (RWs) as living in slum settlement locations. Overall, the area received a slum score of 32, placing it in the light slum category according to national assessment criteria.
The study found that the primary challenges were related to environmental services rather than housing structures themselves. Buildings, environmental roads, and clean water access generally met acceptable standards, while several environmental indicators remained problematic.
Key findings include:
- Solid waste management was the largest contributor to slum conditions, receiving a score of 13.
- Fire protection facilities recorded a score of 10, reflecting the absence of adequate fire prevention infrastructure.
- Wastewater management contributed a score of 6, indicating insufficient sanitation systems.
- Building conditions, road infrastructure, and clean water availability were comparatively better and contributed little to the overall slum classification.
These findings suggest that environmental infrastructure plays a more significant role than housing quality in determining settlement conditions in Meranti Pandak. Poor waste collection systems, inadequate drainage maintenance, improper wastewater disposal, and the lack of fire protection facilities collectively increase environmental risks and reduce residents' quality of life.
The strategic analysis also revealed encouraging opportunities for improvement. The study reported an Internal Factor Analysis Summary (IFAS) score of 1.98 and an External Factor Analysis Summary (EFAS) score of 2.65, indicating that external opportunities—including government housing assistance, community empowerment programs, and inter-agency collaboration—offer strong potential for accelerating settlement improvement. The strategic position at (0.28, 0.87) suggests that development efforts should capitalize on these opportunities through proactive infrastructure investment and coordinated public policies.
Based on the SWOT analysis, the researchers proposed several strategic priorities:
- Upgrade environmental infrastructure, including drainage, sanitation, waste management, and fire protection systems.
- Strengthen community education and environmental awareness programs.
- Expand cooperation among government institutions, local communities, and urban development programs.
- Improve employment opportunities and human resource development to strengthen community resilience.
- Increase government investment in sustainable settlement infrastructure.
The study emphasizes that successful slum management requires more than physical infrastructure improvements. Environmental education, public participation, and consistent policy implementation are equally important in maintaining long-term improvements.
As Shinta Dwi Oktaviani and colleagues from Universitas Riau conclude, sustainable settlement management should integrate infrastructure development, environmental protection, and community empowerment. According to the authors, improving housing quality alone is insufficient without strengthening waste management systems, enhancing public awareness, and encouraging collaboration among government agencies and local residents. This integrated approach offers a practical framework for creating healthier, safer, and more inclusive urban communities.
The findings also carry broader implications for policymakers across Indonesia. Many rapidly growing cities face similar challenges associated with urban migration, housing shortages, and infrastructure limitations. By identifying the environmental factors that contribute most significantly to slum conditions, local governments can prioritize investments where they will produce the greatest impact. Programs such as housing assistance, environmental upgrading initiatives, and community empowerment can become more effective when guided by evidence-based planning.
Beyond government agencies, the research is relevant for urban planners, environmental managers, academics, and development organizations seeking practical strategies to improve settlement quality while supporting sustainable urban development. The authors also recommend future studies incorporating Geographic Information System (GIS) technology and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to strengthen strategic decision-making and evaluate the long-term effectiveness of slum upgrading programs.
Author Profile
Shinta Dwi Oktaviani is a researcher from the Graduate Program in Environmental Science, Universitas Riau, Indonesia, specializing in environmental management, urban settlement planning, and sustainable development.
Ridwan Manda Putra is an academic at the Graduate Program in Environmental Science, Universitas Riau, whose research focuses on environmental policy, urban planning, and regional development.
Indra Suandy is a lecturer and researcher at the Graduate Program in Environmental Science, Universitas Riau, with expertise in environmental science, sustainable urban development, and natural resource management.
Source
Article Title: Strategic Planning for Slum Settlement Management in Meranti Pandak Village
Journal: Indonesian Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Analytics (IJAEA)
Publication Year: 2026
Authors: Shinta Dwi Oktaviani, Ridwan Manda Putra, Indra Suandy
Affiliation: Graduate Program in Environmental Science, Universitas Riau, Indonesia
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