space and place - Jakarta vs Northwood

Jembatan Besi place characteristics

• In Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia

• 10 million people live in the capitals, density 15,900 people/km2

• Jakarta contributes 17-18% of indonesia’s GDP.

• Indonesia GDP per capita - $4,800 (2023)

• Flood prone lowlands - parts if Jakarta sink 7/10cm/year

• Rapid rural-urban migration increases pressure on jobs housing, and services

Northwood, California place characteristics

Southern California

Neighbourhood within Irvine (Orange Country), part of South California’s global city region

California’s GDP - $3.5 trillion: innnovation driven economy

Irvine median household income - $120,000+

High quality services, strong connectivity to tech/biotech/finance and higher education.

Population 22,000 (Northwood), 38m (california)

8200 homes

1/3 of houses are families with children of school age.

Jembatan Besi - social and economic conditions

• Large informal sector - unskilled and casual labour meaning that there is no access to secure contracts, pensions and worker protections (street vending, day labour, motorcycle taxis)

• Jakarta minimum wage is 300-320$/month.

• Average income US$4/day - irregular income

• Administrative buildings agency and Jakarta housing has identified 392 community units that are planned for improvements.

• Post flood disease risks

• Extreme inequality nearby, luxury apartments can exceed around $3000 per m2

Northwood, California - social and economic conditions

• High-skilled labour market; unemployment often low (<4 in strong years)

• High incomes enable access to high-performing schools and private services

• Cumulative advantages: schools + networks + capital = sustained earnings and mobility

• Region contrast: LA Country homelessness = 75,000 + highlights wider inequality.

• High cost of living filters out lower-income groups, reinforcing segregation

• Median income - $86,000/year vs national average $53,250

• Several TNCs have thier HQ in Irvine. Eg Kia motors, Mazda corporation.

• Pharmaceutical and aerospace firms.

Housing conditions - Jembatan Besi, Indonesia

• Mature, singly family homes primarily built between 1970 and 2000s.

• Area considered clean, safe and high standard of living

• 2.8 people per home on average

• 2/3 have lived here for over 10 yrs

• 91% of households own their homes high rents/prices reinforce socio-economic segregation (exclusion of lower-income households).

Housing conditions - Northwood, California.

• Mature, singly family homes primarily built between 1970 and 2000s.

• Area considered clean, safe and high standard of living

• 2.8 people per home on average

• 2/3 have lived here for over 10 yrs

• 91% of households own their homes high rents/prices reinforce socio-economic segregation (exclusion of lower-income households).

The future - Jembatan Besi, Indonesia

• Flood migration projects may reduce risk but can trigger redevelopment pressure

• Capital relocation to Nusantara could shift investment seat from Jakarta’s poorest areas.

• Without inclusive policy, persistent inequality and continued peripheralisation

• Will continue to love in low income, impoverished areas

• Poor income and inadequate infrastructure

The future - Northwood, California

Likely continued growth tied to innovation/tech and skilled employment

Environmental quality - Jembatan Besi

• High levels of pollution

• Use of kerosine for cooking means there are very high levels of emissions in the city.

• Dehydration due to diarrhoea and poor hygiene.

Environmental quality - Jembatan Besi

• Close to a national park - Limestone Canyon and Orange county great park

• Very little pollution and smog as it’s on the edge of the city

• On the green belt of LA