BHUMI: Jurnal Agraria dan Pertanahan Volume 11.
Number 2.
November 2025 A Ella Whidayanti .
ISSN: 2442-6954 e-ISSN: 2580-2151 Doi: https://doi.
org/10.
31292/bhumi.
The Implications of Land Use Dynamics on Land Disputes in Depok City West Java Ella Whidayanti* Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science.
Universitas Indonesia.
Depok.
Indonesia *Corresponding Author: ella.
whidayanti@ui.
Received: June 28, 2025.
Reviewed: August 3, 2025.
Accepted: September 5, 2025 Abstract: Land use dynamics represent an inevitable phenomenon in the process of urban The large-scale conversion of land in Depok City.
West Java, has triggered various issues, particularly concerning land tenure, land use practices, and the emergence of land disputesAi especially on particuliere lands, whose legal status remains ambiguous due to historical and administrative complexities.
This phenomenon has significant implications for spatial and environmental sustainability and also exacerbates social tensions and conflicts related to land This study seeks to analyze the correlation between land use transformation and the rising frequency of land disputes in Depok City, while also identifying effective and equitable mechanisms for conflict resolution.
This study employs a qualitative case study approach that integrates secondary data analysis and in-depth interviews to understand the dynamics of land tenure conflicts.
The primary issue identified lies in the structural imbalance between escalating land demand and the limited supply of available land parcels within the urban landscape.
Land disputes may be addressed through two primary pathways: litigation processes within judicial institutions and alternative non-litigation mechanisms that emphasize cooperative approaches outside formal legal proceedings.
With the increasing complexity of land-related conflicts, alternative dispute resolution mechanismsAisuch as consultation, negotiation, mediation, conciliation, and expert evaluationAihave become increasingly pertinent and contextually appropriate.
The findings of this study indicate that land disputes in Depok City are driven by land imbalance and weak governance, with non-litigation settlements offering a more efficient and equitable approach that serves as the basis for adaptive land policy recommendations.
Keywords: Land Use Dynamics.
Land Disputes.
Depok City.
INTRODUCTION
Land use dynamics represent an inevitable phenomenon in the process of regional development, particularly within urban areas.
These dynamics reflect complex and continuous transformations in land functions, directly associated with either the increase or decline in specific types of land use.
Changes in land use patterns tend to align with shifting demands and population growth, reflecting a trend toward more sustainable spatial governance practices (Zhou & Huang, 2.
The intensifying pressure of urban development contributes to dynamic land use changes that often result in uneven spatial distribution, thereby generating spatial inequalities and conflicts over land access (Xu.
Li, & Wang, 2.
According to research by Gandharum et al.
, between 2013 and 2020, there was a significant conversion of agricultural land in urban areas of West Java, primarily All articles published in Bhumi: Jurnal Agraria dan Pertanahan are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.
0 International license.
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driven by the expansion of residential and infrastructure development.
Meanwhile.
Faoziyah et al.
emphasize that such changes not only threaten ecosystem sustainability but also have the potential to trigger social tensions due to overlapping interests and competing claims over spatial utilization.
Land use change is often regarded as an indicator of regional growth, particularly in the development of physical infrastructure, public facilities, and housing.
The increase in population, the intensification of economic activities, and the evolving social structure of society have cumulatively escalated the pressure on the availability of physical space in urban areas (Firman, 2.
This conditioin has led to an imbalance between land supply and demand, which may give rise to various issues, including land control disputes and ownership conflicts.
One of the most common forms of agrarian conflict in urban areas is land disputes involving particular land.
In Indonesia, the term "particuliere land" refers to former eigendom lands originating from the Dutch colonial era, in which private ownership rights over land were granted to individuals, including both Dutch nationals and indigenous people who legally acquired such rights (Harsono, 2.
One region with a long-standing history related to particular landAiparticularly since the period of the Dutch East Indies administrationsAiis Depok City, located in West Java Province.
Several areas in Depok City were once part of eigendom estates controlled by landlords, typically marked by the presence of large manor houses, or landhuizen, which served as centers for land management(Toha, 2.
From a legal perspective, the existence of particuliere land was officially abolished with the enactment of Law Number 1 of 1958 concerning the Abolition of Particuliere Eigendom Rights.
Nevertheless, in practice, legal ambiguities regarding land status remain prevalent, particularly in urban areas such as Depok City, which often lead to land ownership disputes (Sekarmadji, 2.
The complexity of these land conflicts is further exacerbated by weak administrative governance, including the issuance of girik .
raditional land certificate.
without legal basis by certain government officials (Aditya, 2.
Geographically and functionally.
Depok City holds a strategic position due to its direct borders with the Special Capital Region of Jakarta (DKI Jakart.
and Bogor Regency.
part of the Jabodetabek metropolitan area.
Depok City is designated as a buffer zone for the capital, with primary functions as a residential area and a center for education, trade, and service activities, as well as tourism (Bappeda Depok, 2.
This development has significantly increased the demand for land.
When land availability does not increase proportionally, competition over land becomes an inevitable phenomenon.
As a result, issues related to land control and use have grown increasingly complex, giving rise to new disputes that may involve individuals, community groups, and even institutions.
108 BHUMI: Jurnal Agraria dan Pertanahan, 11 .
November 2025 Most previous studies on land-use change in the Jabodetabek area have primarily focused on patterns of Land Use and Land Cover (LULC), the driving factors of urbanization, and the environmental impacts associated with temperature changes.
Although a considerable body of research has employed multi-temporal spatial analyses of LULC, these studies have largely remained disconnected from examinations of land conflict at the local scale.
For instance, a longitudinal study on LULC dynamics in Jakarta identified the conversion of green areas into built-up zones between 1990 and 2020.
However, this study did not directly link land-use change dynamics with the spatial distribution or intensity of land disputes at either the city or sub-district level (Rachman.
Huang.
Xue, & Marfai, 2.
Another strand of research on land-use change dynamics in Depok City has revealed a rapid expansion of built-up areas over the past two decades (Dewi.
Ariyani.
Shafwah, & Komariah, 2.
However, these studies have generally been oriented toward technical spatial classification, without identifying the occurrence of land disputes or empirically testing the correlation between land-use change and the frequency of conflicts (Rivai, et al.
This highlights the existence of an empirical gap between long-term land-use change studies and validated spatial mapping of land-related conflicts.
The literature on land conflict and conflict mapping methodologies emphasizes the importance of integrating spatial data with conflict typologies in order to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the distribution and intensity of conflicts.
Several recent studies have highlighted the necessity of linking LULC data with conflict data (Fienitz.
Nevertheless, most of the existing research remains conceptual and primarily concentrated on the regional scale (Berenschot & Saraswati, 2.
, while studies applied to the context of medium-sized cities remain limited.
Furthermore, research on mechanisms for resolving land disputes in Indonesia has generally remained focused on juridical and institutional dimensions (Sari.
Perdana, & Wajdi, 2.
, while the utilization of spatial LULC mapping as a foundation for designing location-specific resolution strategies remains very limited.
Yet, the effectiveness of policy interventions requires a spatial understanding of high-vulnerability areas and their underlying drivers, such as agrarian conversion, unclear status of private ownership, and weak land asset governance systems (Aldyan.
Latifiani, & Nugraha, 2.
Meanwhile, the issue of land disputes in Depok City cannot be separated from the pressures of urban development and the weak management and oversight of land use.
These disputes reflect the intersection of legal rights, historical claims, and contemporary economic interests.
Therefore, a study on the implications of land use dynamics for the emergence of land disputes in Depok City.
West Java, is highly relevantAinot only to gain a deeper understanding of the root causes, but also to formulate sustainable solutions through participatory and inclusive governance approaches.
This study examines the Whidayanti.
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relationship between the dynamics of land-use change and the increasing incidence of land disputes in Depok City, while also identifying resolution approaches that can mitigate conflict complexity in a fair and effective manner through spatial mapping of dispute cases.
The research is expected not only to enrich the existing body of knowledge on macro-scale LULC studies and predominantly normative land conflict literature but also to provide more targeted policy recommendations addressing the specific dynamics of urban development in Depok City.
METHODS
This study was conducted in Depok City.
West Java Province, which is geographically located within the Jabodetabek metropolitan area and is characterized by diverse physiographic conditions.
Depok City lies between the coordinates 6A19Ao00AoAo Ae 6A28Ao00AoAo SL and 106A43Ao00AoAo Ae 106A55Ao30AoAo EL.
Topographically, the city is predominantly composed of lowland areas and gently undulating hills, with elevations ranging from 50 to 140 meters above sea level (Bappeda Depok, 2.
These topographic conditions render Depok highly vulnerable to development pressures, particularly in the form of land conversion for residential and infrastructure purposes.
Administratively.
Depok City holds a strategic territorial position, as it shares borders with several major cities and regencies across two provinces.
Its location places Depok in a spatially pressured zone, subjected to intense urbanization and land conversion processes, both of which have the potential to generate land tenure issues and ownership disputes.
The study area, located in Depok City.
West Java Province, is illustrated in Figure 1.
110 BHUMI: Jurnal Agraria dan Pertanahan, 11 .
November 2025 Figure 1.
The Map of Research Area in Depok City Source: Data Processing, 2025 In this study, the geographical and administrative characteristics of Depok City constitute the analytical basis for examining spatial and social dimensions of land use patterns and the dynamics of land-related conflicts.
This approach seeks to elucidate the correlation between the areaAos physical attributes and prevailing land use pressures, while also identifying zones that are particularly vulnerable to disputes due to their spatial location and the intensity of land-use conversion processes occurring within the city.
Data Processing This study employs a descriptive qualitative approach, utilizing secondary data as the primary source, which was obtained through a literature review method.
The literature review aimed to gather, categorize, and scrutinize diverse documents and academic publications pertinent to land disputes in Depok City, utilizing the sub-district level as the analytical unit.
This technique aims to enrich the conceptual foundation and deepen the contextual understanding of the issue, particularly in examining the dynamics of land use and their implications for land-related conflicts in Depok City.
The primary and secondary data collected were classified based on thematic Subsequently, spatial data in the form of land use maps were analyzed using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to identify patterns of land use change in Depok City over time.
This spatial analysis was also employed to overlay areas prone to land Whidayanti.
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disputes with the dynamics of land use conversion.
The data utilized in this study are presented in Table 1.
Table 1.
Research Data No.
Data
Source Utility Administrative data
BIG
Map of Research Area
Land use data
BIG
Map of Land Use Land tenure and BPN RI ownership data Map of Land Tenure and Ownership Conflicts Source: Data Processing, 2025 Data Analysis The data analysis in this study focuses on examining the nexus between land use dynamics and the intensity of land disputes in Depok City.
To achieve a comprehensive understanding, a descriptive approach was employed, supported by secondary data obtained from the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN), as well as other relevant documents collected through an extensive literature The dataset includes information on land use changes, the number of reported land dispute cases, and their spatial distribution across sub-districts within the city.
The first step undertaken was the classification of data based on categorical variables, including land use type, dispute location, and conflict scale.
Subsequently, land dispute cases were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods to identify the distribution patterns and incidence rates of land disputes at the sub-district level.
The intensity of land disputes was categorized by the number of reported cases into three levels: low, medium, and high (Table .
The classification method based on quantitative indicators, which groups cases according to the scale or type of conflict, enables spatial mapping of the distribution, frequency, and degree of conflict vulnerability within a given area.
(Williams.
In practice, such typologies have proven effective in identifying patterns of conflict vulnerability and providing an empirical foundation for designing context-specific resolution strategies (Wehrmann, 2.
Accordingly, this classification facilitates the identification of areas with higher vulnerability to land conflicts, thereby allowing for further analysis of their correlation with land use change dynamics in Depok City.
Table 2.
Data Classification No.
Number of Cases Vulnerability Level <15 Low Medium >22 High Source: Data Processing, 2025 112 BHUMI: Jurnal Agraria dan Pertanahan, 11 .
November 2025 A comparative analysis was carried out to explore the linkage between the intensity of land disputes and land use change, particularly in urban areas undergoing land conversion driven by development pressures.
The findings of this analysis were used to construct an interpretation of land use dynamics and their implications for land conflicts in Depok City.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Land Use Dynamics The research findings indicate that land use in Depok City has undergone considerable dynamics, reflecting ongoing processes of urbanization and territorial According to the classification outlined in Regulation of the Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) No.
16 of 2021, land use in Depok City comprises five main categories: residential land, corporate land, industrial land, service land, and building land.
Each category represents a specific function within the cityAos spatial structure, such as residential use, economic activity, public services, open space, and supporting ecosystems.
The interpretation of the land use map (Figure .
reveals that residential areas constitute the most dominant form of land utilization, particularly in the western and central parts of Depok City, including the Beji.
Pancoran Mas, and Sukmajaya sub-districts.
Population growth and increasing housing demand have driven the expansion of residential zones toward the urban periphery, areas that were previously used for agriculture and productive gardens.
Nevertheless, several sub-districtsAisuch as Cimanggis.
Tapos, and SawanganAistill retain non-urban land characteristics, including paddy fields, plantations, and green open spaces.
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Figure 2.
The Map of Land Use in Depok City.
West Java Source: Data Processing, 2025 The transformation of land use from agrarian to non-agrarian function has had a direct impact on the emergence of potential land conflicts.
Rapid land conversion processes, often lacking clear legal ownership status, serve as a primary trigger for disputesAi particularly in areas that have not been fully integrated into formal land governance This dynamic reveals a significant mismatch between spatial planning policies and the realities of land utilization on the ground, resulting in overlapping land claims among individuals, community groups, and both governmental and private institutions.
Land use dynamics in Depok City reflect the city's spatial development and contribute significantly to the emergence of land disputes.
The misalignment between spatial planning and the actual patterns of land utilization constitutes one of the primary challenges in land management, particularly in urban areas experiencing intense development pressures such as Depok City.
Land Dispute The analysis results indicate that the intensity of land disputes in Depok City varies across sub-districts and shows a correlation with both land use types and the legal status of land ownership.
Data obtained from the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial 114 BHUMI: Jurnal Agraria dan Pertanahan, 11 .
November 2025 Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) reveal that sub-districts in Depok City can be classified into three categories based on the number of land dispute cases: low intensity .
ewer than 15 case.
, medium intensity .
-22 case.
, and high intensity .
ore than 25 Beji.
Pancoran Mas.
Sukmajaya.
Cilodong, and Cipayung sub-districts are classified as areas with low levels of land disputes.
In contrast, the Limo and Cinere sub-districts are categorized as having medium levels of land dispute intensity.
Meanwhile.
Bojongsari.
Sawangan.
Tapos, and Cimanggis sub-districts exhibit a high number of land dispute cases, with more than 25 incidents recorded within a given time period.
This phenomenon indicates that the intensity of land-related conflicts is not evenly distributed across the city but rather concentrated in specific areas experiencing significant pressure from land use Areas with high levels of land conflictAinamely Bojongsari.
Ssawangan.
Tapos, and Cimanggis sub-districtsAiare generally dominated by the Aunon-built-upAy land use category, which includes paddy fields, plantations, dry fields, and open spaces.
Such areas are often characterized by weak legal documentation of land ownership and a high prevalence of girik land status.
Girik refers to land ownership evidenced only by a letter of acknowledgment issued by the urban village or sub-district office, rather than by a formal land title .
ertificate of ownershi.
issued by the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (Sihombing, 2.
The land dispute map of Depok City is presented in Figure 3.
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Figure 3.
The Map of Land Tenure and Ownership Conflicts in Depok City Source: Data Processing, 2025 Girik land is not recognized as valid proof of ownership under the Basic Agrarian Law (UUPA) No.
5 of 1960.
Within the framework of Indonesian land law, legitimate land ownership must be supported by an official land certificate as evidence of legal title (Art.
19 of the UUPA).
In cases of overlapping claims between certificate holders and girik landholders, the claim supported by the land certificate carries greater legal weight.
This situation often triggers conflicts, particularly in areas undergoing rapid and unregulated land conversion (Harsono, 2.
In addition to girik land, land disputes are also triggered by the presence of particuliere Particuliere land, or eigendom land, refers to a legacy of Dutch colonial rule, wherein land was granted to individualsAiboth Dutch nationals and Indigenous elitesAias a form of reward from the colonial government.
Although eigendom rights were officially abolished after IndonesiaAos independence, generational claims and informal control over particuliere land persist in practice.
This has resulted in legal ambiguity concerning land status and has led to complex and prolonged disputes (Lubis, 2.
Thus, land disputes in Depok City are driven not only by the physical aspects of land control and use but also by the complexities of legal ownership status.
The absence of official land certificates, the prevalence of girik land, and the legacy of particuliere .
r 116 BHUMI: Jurnal Agraria dan Pertanahan, 11 .
November 2025 eigendo.
land constitute a combination of key factors contributing to ownership conflictsAi particularly in areas that retain agrarian functions or are undergoing land conversion.
Therefore, agrarian reform and the acceleration of land certification processes are crucial in preventing and resolving land conflicts in urban areas such as Depok City.
Approaches to Resolving Land Disputes The research findings indicate that uncontrolled land use dynamics in Depok City can increase the risk of land disputes, particularly in areas undergoing rapid conversion from agrarian functions to residential or commercial uses.
Therefore, resolving land ownership conflicts requires adaptive, efficient, and sustainable legal and social One commonly recommended method is conflict resolution through direct deliberation between disputing parties.
This method emphasizes the principles of familial consensus and voluntary participation, which can be facilitated through informal If mutual agreement is reached within this forum, the dispute can be resolved without proceeding to litigation.
Non-litigation settlement is considered more efficient and helps preserve social relationships between the involved parties.
(Sutedi, 2.
However, some land dispute cases cannot be resolved through deliberation, and thus litigation becomes the alternative.
Judicial settlement may proceed through either civil or criminal court, depending on the substance of the dispute.
In cases involving unauthorized use of land, resolution can refer to Law No.
51/Prp/1960 concerning the prohibition of land use without the permission of the rightful owner.
Meanwhile, cases involving administrative land policies may be brought before the State Administrative Court (Peradilan Tata Usaha Negara.
PTUN).
Nevertheless, litigation is often regarded as inefficient due to its lengthy procedures and high costs (Yunus, 2.
As an alternative to court proceedings, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms have become increasingly relevant, particularly amid the growing complexity of land disputes in urban areas.
According to Law No.
30 of 1999 on Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution, parties may choose arbitration as a binding resolution mechanism, provided that it is mutually agreed upon through a contractual clause.
addition, various other forms of ADR may be employed to mediate conflicts, including negotiation, mediation, consultation, and expert appraisal (Hadjon, 2.
These methods are expected to offer solutions that are faster, more flexible, and oriented toward win-win Strengthening the capacity of local mediation institutions and increasing public awareness of the importance of legal land ownership .
, through land certificatio.
are crucial steps in the prevention and resolution of land disputes in Depok City.
In addition, to establish a conflict resolution system that is responsive to dynamic land use changes, it is essential to ensure transparent integration of government data and institutional synergy Whidayanti.
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among the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency, local governments, and the judiciary.
Case Study: Land Conflict in Cimanggis Sub-District One notable case reflecting the dynamics of land disputes occurred in 2021 in Mekarsari Urban Village.
Cimanggis Sub-District.
Depok City.
The case involved a twohectare land area contested between local residents holding girik land and a property developer in possession of a Building Use Right (HGB) certificate.
The residents claimed ownership based on hereditary land control dating back to the 1980s and supported their claim with a Land Statement Letter (Surat Keterangan Tanah.
SKT) issued by the urban village office.
However, the developer held a formal certificate issued by the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency, which was followed by an official eviction notice (Sutedi, 2.
The initial mediation facilitated by the urban village and sub-district authorities failed to produce an agreement, as both parties believed their respective legal claims were sufficiently strong.
As a result, the dispute proceeded to the judicial process through the State Administrative Court (PTUN) and the Depok District Court.
The core issue raised in the legal proceedings was the alleged procedural irregularities in the issuance of the Building Use Right (HGB) certificate (Yunus, 2.
The court decision confirmed that the developer's Building Use Right (HGB) certificate is valid because the residents with girik land could not prove legal ownership using the official processes required by the Basic Agrarian Law (UUPA) No.
5 of 1960.
The decision emphasized that while girik documents may serve as evidence of physical possession, their legal standing is significantly limited in the absence of an official land (Harsono B.
, 2.
This case underscores that litigation offers legal certainty.
however, it often results in substantial social and economic consequences, particularly for low-income residents lacking access to formal land certification processes.
Therefore, this study emphasizes the need to implement preventive and participatory strategies, actively involving local governments and the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency at the early stages of land-use conversion.
CONCLUSIONS
Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that land disputes in Depok City are a direct implication of the growing demand for land that is disproportionate to the limited availability of land resources.
This gap between demand and availability has driven significant land-use changes, often without being accompanied by adequate land governance, thereby contributing to increasingly dynamic and uncontrolled land-use 118 BHUMI: Jurnal Agraria dan Pertanahan, 11 .
November 2025 The results of the spatial analysis indicate that the distribution of land dispute intensity in Depok City is uneven.
Areas with low conflict levels include Beji.
Pancoran Mas.
Sukmajaya.
Cilodong, and Cipayung Sub-District.
In contrast, the highest levels of conflict are recorded in Bojongsari.
Sawangan.
Tapos, and CimanggisAiareas that are generally still dominated by undeveloped land.
Conflicts in these areas are primarily triggered by weak asset registration systems and administrative deficiencies at the local level, as well as the continued prevalence of uncertified land parcels.
This study identifies two primary approaches to resolving land disputes: litigation .
udicial proces.
and non-litigation .
lternative dispute resolutio.
While litigation ensures legal certainty, it often involves lengthy procedures and high costs.
Therefore, cooperative non-litigation methodsAisuch as consultation, negotiation, mediation, conciliation, and expert appraisalAioffer a more efficient alternative that is oriented toward social justice.
Efforts to resolve land disputes in Depok City require not only legal interventions but also institutional strengthening, improved land governance, and increased public awareness of the importance of legal land ownership.
A holistic and collaborative approach is essential to establishing a spatial planning system that is equitable, orderly, and sustainable amidst the growing pressures of urbanization.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
My highest gratitude is extended to all parties who have supported this research.
Special thanks are extended tom y advisor and lecturer of the Land Use Dynamics course.
Department of Geography.
Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.
Universitas Indonesia.
Dr.
Mangapul Parlindungan Tambunan.
Si.
, for his valuable guidance and support throughout this study.
REFERENCES