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IHiS (Indonesian Historical Studies) 8 (1), 64-75 © 2024 | E-ISSN: 2579-4213  

How Economic Space Movement: Shifting Functions of Semarang Suburban Land    | 64 

 
Received:  
July 6, 2023 
 
Revised:  
July 25, 2024 
 
Accepted:  
August 15, 2024 

Economic Space Movement: Shifting Functions of Semarang Suburban 
Land at the Beginning of the 21st Century 

 
C. Santi Muji Utami,1* Nur Aini Setiawati2, Nur Aeni Marta3 

1Department of History, Faculty of Social Sciences and Political Science 
Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang, Central Java - Indonesia 

2Department of History, Faculty of Humanities 
Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta - Indonesia 

3History Education Study Program, Faculty of Social Sciences 
Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Jakarta - Indonesia 

 
*Corresponding Author: mujiutami@mail.unnes.ac.id 

DOI: https:// 10.14710/ihis.v8i1.19235 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Introduction 
The transformation of the structure of the suburban area of Semarang City from 
agricultural to non-agricultural includes physical and socio-economic aspects. The 
shift in space from the city centre to the city's outskirts was triggered by increased 
population and industrial economic activity, which resulted in the need for space. The 
growth of peripheral communities is increasingly accelerated when capitalist groups 
are intensively involved in industrialization. Meanwhile, improvements to various 
infrastructures in the city centre have attracted investment in trade and services. The 
increasing need for spatial space for investment in this sector raises the problem of 

Abstract 
 

In long-term planning, the central area of Semarang City is intended to serve as a 
centre for government, business development, and trade. As a result, more and 
more settlements are being evicted or marginalized. The manufacturing industry 
was relocated for business expansion, so it needed new land both to develop 
activities and provide supporting facilities. These two sectors eventually shifted 
to the city’s outskirts, causing spatial transformation in suburban areas. This 
research was conducted as social research with an environmental history 
approach. The problem that arises is how suburban areas should move due to 
changes in land use and significant increases in land values. This study applies 
qualitative research methods with a historical approach to look at phenomena that 
occur in the suburbs of Semarang. The research results show that, in the 21st 
century, rice fields and swamps in the eastern region of Semarang City have been 
converted into industrial areas. This area connects Semarang City with cities in the 
eastern region of Java Island. Meanwhile, the western part of the city of Semarang, 
with its flat topography and close to the coast, has become an industrial area and 
is also being built for residential purposes. Both are close to Tanjung Emas Harbor. 
Increasingly intensive changes in land use have caused land prices to increase 
significantly yearly. 
 
Keywords: Space Movement; Shifting Functions; Suburban Land; Semarang. 



 
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land availability. Dense settlements, increasing economic activity, trade and services, 
increasingly narrowing open space, the higher the value of land prices (Surbakti, 1996, 
pp. 11-22). The suburban spatial structure is developing rapidly, marked by the growth 
of economic activity areas and new housing, which is natural when there is a shift and 
change in the use of city centre space. The use of suburban space certainly requires 
instruments that regulate economic activities and must be accompanied by 
consideration of sustainability aspects (Anwas, 2014, p. 42). According to the IUCN 
Program 2004, sustainability, in this case, illustrates the importance of 
interdependence between components such as economic, social and environmental. 
Thus, when the built-up area is expanded in the outskirts of Semarang City, the 
balance of socio-economic and environmental aspects must be maintained. 

The topography of the city of Semarang is very unique and diverse. As a coastal 
area, Semarang City consists of coasts, lowlands, and hills. The city center is in the 
lowlands and settlements are developing in the hilly areas. Land use in the city center 
occurs in various groupings (segregation) in the form of zones including government 
centers, housing, offices, shops and commerce. This group tends to occupy the core 
area in the central and central parts. Elite housing tends to occupy hilly areas. 
Industrial activity follows the coastline, to the west and east, to the city's outskirts. 
Location of areas with diverse topography. The aim of the research is to obtain an 
explanation of the transformation of land use changes in the suburban areas of 
Semarang City. 

Spatial changes in urban space can occur with the addition of built-up areas and 
population growth. Developed patterns that are well planned will encourage 
sustainable development (Torrens 2008). City area development spurs regional 
development which not only has an influence on the city, but also provides 
opportunities for other areas in the surrounding area to develop as well. Physical 
development in the form of public facilities or infrastructure extending to peripheral 
areas aims to improve people's lives. A socio-economic approach is used to look at the 
value of land due to conversion of functions and existing resources (Rosyidi, 2011, p. 
2). The two works above are a reference, looking at strategic spaces in suburban areas 
of Semarang which have the ability to increase land use value, by optimizing their use. 

Fringe areas are areas around cities that are between rural areas and urban areas. 
Some areas will show the shape of a city, but some suburbs will show another shape 
(Yunus, 2008, p 11) which is closer to rural characteristics. Such areas are often defined 
as peri-urban areas. Peri-urban areas are characterized by a mixture of the physical 
capabilities of urban and rural areas are symbolized by the form of land use. This area 
shows dynamics in various activities compared to other parts of the peri-urban 
characteristics that have been stated by Yunus (2008), as a basis for analyzing the 
development of the outskirts of Semarang City which tends to follow centrifugal force, 
moving away. Kurnianingsih (2013) is the basis for looking at the development of the 
suburbs of Semarang City based on regional typology. As stated by Cahyati (2010), the 
relatively flat outskirts of Gresik have become industrial economic areas Semarang 
places all industrial areas in the lowlands, while Semarang, which also has hilly areas, 



 
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is a residential and higher education area. Yesiana (2014), provides an overview of 
Klaten, a peri-urban area located on the main traffic route with a strategic location, 
providing easy economic accessibility. 

When Semarang chose and placed various economic and industrial activities in 
the western and eastern areas of the city center, this was a long-term sustainable 
development plan. Meanwhile, in the Southern region with hilly topography, 
including Tembalang, Banyumanik, Gunungpati, Mijen, it is designated for 
residential, educational and service areas, as well as non-manufacturing industrial 
economies. The increasing burden on urban space, over time, has resulted in land 
conversion in suburban areas. This condition causes an unavoidable increase in land 
prices on the outskirts of the city, following the functional change of land to become a 
more productive location for economic activity.  These conditions directly trigger land 
prices in suburban areas to increase significantly over time. 
 
Method 
This article uses the historical method. According to Kuntowijoyo, the stages of the 
historical method consist of heuristics, external and internal criticism, interpretation, 
and historiography (Kuntowijoyo, 2013, p. 69). Various reviews of land function 
movement in Semarang City were obtained through different written sources in the 
form of documents published by relevant institutions, such as archives in the form of 
documents related to Semarang City. This article also uses secondary sources such as 
books and articles from various journals to acquire a more complete and in-depth 
context. 
  
Leaving the City Center: Entering the Outskirts 
Regional autonomy has been implemented in Semarang City since 2001. Since then, 
Semarang City has strengthened its position as a centre for business activities, services, 
and public spaces. However, when the Semarang City Government began to establish 
a long-term master plan, segregation occurred in society. Previously, the government 
had designated the national main road area, including Pahlawan Street, Pandanaran 
Street, MT Haryono Street, and Pemuda Street, as the centre of government and 
business. The area then formed an office environment for both government and 
private, as well as the development of the service sector, shops, education, and several 
public facilities. Moreover, a policy emerged to optimally utilize the suburban area as 
a buffer for the city centre. Based on this, McGee argued that the heavy physical 
burden on the city resulted in a massive land-use transformation. These transformed 
the area into an industrial area on the outskirts of the town (Mc Gee, 1991, pp. 3-25; 
Dicky, 2002, p. 57). Therefore, many investors began to invest in industries in the 
suburban area. 

During its development, land use in the suburban areas of Semarang City began 
to be influenced by the increasing population. Its conciseness also affected the need for 
increasingly diverse land use to meet the social and economic needs of the community. 
Semarang City’s different needs must be met, and more representative space is 



 
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required. Meanwhile, city space is limited and needs to meet the community's 
demands, namely the need for space to carry out economic activities. Hence, suburban 
areas were chosen as an alternative to solve various problems. Further, the area 
directly adjacent to the city centre is the target of city development. 

The needs of the community with the availability of space in the city of Semarang 
are not balanced because the availability of land is limited. However, many still 
assume everyone can access city space (Haryono, 2003, p. 133; Madanipour, 1996, p. 
167). On the contrary, serious handling is needed to provide awareness to the 
community about city space as a public space. It must be done because today's society 
cannot keep up with the rhythm of city life, which must be abandoned. In fact, people 
with such a mindset need to be moved to the suburbs to make their lives easier. That 
differs from people who have succeeded in living in the city as entrepreneurs. They 
then occupy suburban areas close to the town to develop their businesses because of 
easier access. 

 
Scramble Suburban Space 
2004 the government issued Government Regulation No. 16 of 2004 concerning Spatial 
Planning. Article 2 states that land use must be able to increase land value following 
the function of the space. That policy then caused the suburban areas of Semarang City 
to begin to have other roles besides being areas for expanding economic activities. 
Hence, the suburban areas began to be allocated through careful planning because of 
the varied land contour conditions in Semarang City. Consequently, land use needs to 
be initiated with various studies and research from various disciplines. Land uses need 
their value so that the area can support regional income in various sectors. In addition, 
land use also influences the economic activities of the population to become more 
varied. 

The role movement of the suburban areas of Semarang City, such as the Tugu, 
Ngaliyan, and Genuk Districts, into industrial areas has also affected the people 
around the area. It can be seen from the community's economic activities, which are 
starting to become involved in the industrial sector. Various changes and movements 
in the role of the suburban areas have caused segregation in society. That is caused by 
grouping economic activity spaces in the community, such as housing, shops, offices, 
and trade centres. 

Segregation has been a long-standing issue in suburban areas. However, until the 
21st century, it did not pose significant problems due to the lack of competition for 
space in community activities. Yet, as the intensity of each group increased, problems 
began to emerge. The community groups have shown remarkable adaptability, 
finding new ways to expand their economic activities to survive and thrive in the 
changing landscape. 

Principally, there are differences between the city centre and the suburban areas. 
It can be seen from slum areas that only exist in the city centre. Meanwhile, rural areas 
close to the city centre play an important role in supporting the city centre. 
Consequently, changes in land use in the suburban location will cause a 



 
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transformation built based on social and economic relations based on sustainable 
spatial planning (Prins & Peter, pp. 158-167). For the indigenous people of Semarang 
City, changes in land use also affect their lives, including increasingly appreciating 
time and accepting different types of livelihoods. These changes can be caused by their 
interactions with newcomers and the environment that is starting to develop with 
various economic activities. 

Land use changes from one user to another over time (Pidora, 2010, p. 10). 
Furthermore, several areas on the outskirts of Semarang City that were initially forests 
and fields or rice fields began to decrease or even disappear altogether. However, 
infrastructure development is improving. It is evident from the construction of roads 
of increasingly better quality. Residential and industrial areas are also starting to have 
adequate facilities and infrastructure. In other words, companies operating in nine 
industrial area locations also benefit. Therefore, the development of the outskirts of 
Semarang City is strongly supported by the availability of supporting facilities. That's 
in line with a study conducted by Alhusain, which states that facilities and 
infrastructure are urgent in helping and supporting the wheels of industry (Alhusain, 
2014, p. 40). 

Furthermore, the movement of Semarang City space has become more dynamic 
since the beginning of the 21st century due to changes in the function of space as a city 
centre. The city centre area began to be designed as a centre for government offices, 
tourist destinations, culture, public facilities, and businesses. The movement of the city 
core area caused the suburbs to begin to be prioritized for development by the 
community and city government. For example, the Gunungpati area began to be 
developed into a residential area, tourism, and one of the new educational areas. The 
Genuk area also began to show its identity as an industrial area even though it has 
been prone to tidal flooding since the 2000s. Besides, Prihanto (2012) has analyzed the 
development of two other suburban areas, namely Ngaliyan and Tembalang, some of 
which are hilly. In his study, he described the conditions of the two areas as continuing 
to develop as educational, residential, and public spaces. 

Based on the research results, the suburban areas of Semarang City began to be 
of interest to domestic and foreign investors in the early 21st century. The demand for 
land caused changes in land function and the movement of economic space in the two 
areas (Ngaliyan and Tembalang). Entering the second decade of the 21st century, the 
Gunungpati and Mijen areas became the target of developers to invest their capital in 
the two areas. Geographically, the four areas are partly or even 80 per cent hills, so 
they are considered ideal residential areas. Developers also continuously began to 
convert land into residential areas with various classifications based on marketing 
prices. They built residential areas with high prices for the elite and some with low 
prices that low-income people could reach. The four areas became the location for the 
construction of state and private universities. That condition triggered the construction 
of public facilities for economic services, health, and transportation that were adequate 
and integrated with residential areas. 

Furthermore, the Semarang City government began to determine the division of 



 
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areas with existing land conditions. The industrial area is designated to be in the 
western suburbs, although some are in the Ngaliyan and Tugu Districts. The 
determination of Ngaliyan and Tugu Districts as industrial areas is because they are 
not far from the port area. In its development, rice fields have been converted into 
industrial areas, settlements, facilities, and public infrastructure that is increasingly 
intensive in the Ngaliyan, Tugu, Tembalang, Gunungpati, and Mijen Districts (Figure 
1). 

 

 
Figure 1.  

Source: Prihanto, 2012. 
 

 Relative to the development of suburban areas, it is necessary to improve 
facilities and infrastructure. One of them can be done through the expansion of 
facilities and improving the quality of toll roads. The expansion will be related to the 
conversion of rural land, especially those around the toll gate (Semarang City Service, 
2015, p. 15). However, the conversion of suburban land, referred to as a protective area 
for the sustainability of the ecosystem, should be used more. That condition can have 
a negative impact in the long term if it is maintained continuously. In addition, crucial 
problems will also occur if the conversion of land does not pay attention to the 
environmental impact. One of the problems that will arise is the loss of infiltration 
areas and plantations, which will cause landslides and floods. Yet, some developers 
still prioritize current needs over the security and balance of the ecosystem. That 
condition can trigger excessive land use without considering the negative impact on 
the environment. 

For example, what happened in the suburban area of Semarang City, which 
consists of hilly areas that have started to turn into residential areas? The land 
conversion resulted in flooding in Semarang City. The problem was then overcome by 
the existence of polders spread across the Old City area, precisely in front of Tawang 
Station, Semarang City, becoming one of the solutions to accommodate flood 
overflows from the upper areas of Semarang City, as well as floods caused by high 
tides. Meanwhile, drainage channels in the West Semarang area include the Mangkang 
River, Tapak River, Boom Karanganya River, Jumbleng River, and Tugu River. The 
drainage system in Semarang City is integrated with drainage in coastal areas. This 



 
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drainage is one of the efforts to overcome flooding in the Semarang City area. Another 
effort the Semarang City government made was to build the Jatibarang Reservoir, 
located between two sub-districts, Gunungpati District and Mijen District. The 
reservoir was built to control flooding while supporting the regional economy because 
it has the potential to be a tourist destination, irrigation provider, and power plant. 
 
Industrial Area: Economic Value of a Space 
The transformation of land on the outskirts of Semarang City has caused a high 
demand for land. It has affected the increasingly high price of land on the market. The 
condition occurs on the outskirts of Semarang City, so agricultural land is converted 
into an industrial area. As a result, the area is starting to become dense and expanding. 
In his study, Arsyad stated that an industrial area can be formed if there is a process 
of utilizing natural and human resources to increase the added value of raw materials 
into products, which affects the development of the trade and service sectors (Arsyad, 
2010, p. 442). The development of the outskirts of Semarang City has its appeal to 
urban communities.  

Basically, land conversion can occur intentionally or unintentionally. The 
utilization of space on the outskirts of Semarang City is one example of a planned land 
conversion. The space is utilized by considering the benefits, convenience, and 
development demands and paying attention to environmental aspects. The planning 
can be caused by various things, one of which is the limited capacity of the city centre 
space, so a shift or expansion of space is needed. In addition, population growth can 
also result in a shift in space. Therefore, planning for the development and expansion 
of urban areas needs to be carried out to anticipate various problems such as 
population density, transportation congestion, and air pollution (Bapeda Semarang 
City, 2015). 

In its development, nine industrial areas were built in Semarang City until the 
end of the 21st century, one of which is Bukit Semarang Baru, conceptualized as an 
integrated area. The industrial area was built near the main highway (National) traffic 
route. Meanwhile, other industrial areas are located on the main intersections between 
cities and provinces on Java Island. The nine industrial areas occupy areas with easily 
accessible topography, making them very economically beneficial as built-up areas for 
business activities. In developing existing industrial areas, the government has carried 
out careful planning for long-term sustainable programs. Based on Table 1, the area is 
determined by considering aspects of environmental sustainability and products 
produced by each industrial sector. 

 
Table 1. Industrial Estates Have Continued to be Developed in the Early 21st Century 

No Name Industrial Estate Type of Industry Developed 
1 Wijayakusuma Industrial Park Machinery, heavy equipment, electric 
2 Industrial Estate Terboyo machinery, heavy equipment, electricity 
3 Lamicitra Nusantara 

Industrial Estate  
Electronic, motor vehicle and gamelan 
assembly (all nonpollutant industries) 

4 New Bukit Semarang Integrated area: residential areas, 



 
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Industrial Area (112 Ha) business and service centers, electronics 
assembly, motor vehicles and gamelan 
(all non-polluting industries) 

5 small industrial environment 
New Bugangan  

Various household needs, offices, 

6 Industrial Estate Guna Mekar 
Tambak Aji  

Machinery, heavy equipment 

7 Candi Industrial Estate  Machinery.heavy equipment, electronics 
8 Tugu Industrial Estate  Machinery, heavy equipment, steel 

processing 
9 Sinar Centra Cipta Industrial 

Park 
Manufacturing, consumer products 

Source: Processed from the official website of each Region 2010-2020 and capital 
investment Dynamics and Semarang City Government One Stop Integrated Services 

 
Based on Table 1, the development of industrial areas that have been determined 

is influenced by Government Regulation No. 16 of 2004 concerning Regional Spatial 
Planning. As previously explained, policymakers are carrying out the spatial planning 
of industrial areas and the development of transportation infrastructure in the 
suburban areas of Semarang to achieve sustainable urban development in the future. 
Rodrigue, Comtois, and Slack (2009) in their study argue that transportation itself is a 
link between various built-up areas and commodity centres. It can be seen in Semarang 
City in the development of several industrial areas spread across various regions, both 
in the eastern, western, and northern parts of Semarang City. These industrial areas 
include the Wijaya Kusuma Industrial Area located on Pantura Semarang Kendal 
road, Tugu District, owned by BUMN, together with the Central Java Provincial 
Government and the Cilacap Regency Government with ready-to-use land and 
modern Ready-to-Use Factory Buildings (BPSP) with international standards 
(KIW.co.id, June 2024). Then, the Terboyo Industrial Area is located in Trboyo Wetan 
Village District Genuk, Semarang City, which borders Demak City. Bukit Semarang 
Baru (BSB), as the largest satellite city (suburb) in Semarang, has an industrial area 
with a clean industry concept (PP No. 24 of 2009), which is equipped with a city park. 
In addition, this area is easily accessible because of the excellent road quality from 
various directions, which connects it to other sub-districts. The superb road quality 
also facilitates the community around the BSB area. The area is also not far from the 
Jatibarang reservoir, thus accelerating the rate of industrial growth. 

Furthermore, other small industrial areas are in the Bugangan Baru area in 
Muktiharjo Lor Village. The Lamicitra Nusantara Industrial Area is also located at 
Tanjung Emas Port, Tanjung Mas District, Semarang. The industrial area is currently 
seeking to expand its location for export processing. Then, the Mekar Industrial Area 
is in the Tambak Aji Village area, Ngaliyan District. Meanwhile, the Candi Industrial 
Area is an industrial area that produces heavy equipment, machines, electronics, and 
other components. That area is located in Ngaliyan Village, Ngaliyan District. 



 
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Meanwhile, in the westernmost area of Semarang City, with the smallest population, 
there has been an industrial area since 1988 that the government has managed. 
 
Infrastructue, Land Prices, and Distribution Patterns 
The enactment of Law Number 38 of 2004 concerning the construction of the second 
road triggered a change in land use in the outskirts of Semarang City. We can 
understand that roads are land transportation infrastructure that includes all parts of 
the road intended for traffic on the ground's surface. Hence, road infrastructure is one 
of the important elements in changing the spatial planning of industrial economic 
activities through expansion. Road infrastructure development and land use changes 
are very closely related. That is because the expansion of the area requires 
transportation with good road conditions. 

Consequently, the expansion of the industrial area will follow the axis of growth, 
namely following existing transportation routes or newly developed routes, to the 
final destination area. This pattern forms an industrial area that is interconnected with 
each other even though its location is spread out. In line with the program to increase 
the capacity of the toll road that passes through Semarang City, investors have made 
related plans. Investors have invested in response to the policy of improving the 
quality of toll roads. It is done by competing for new strategic land as the centre of 
their business development. Giuliano argues that improving infrastructure will 
increase accessibility. That is because the land has value that needs to be developed 
further. Then, land development will trigger the growth of various new economic 
activities in the community (Giuliano, 2004; 2012). 

Several new industrial areas on the outskirts of Semarang City that are integrated 
with housing, business centres, services, and industry are developed by the private 
sector in collaboration with the government and State-Owned Enterprises. The 
development is an effort by the government to increase economic income and regional 
independence following Presidential Decree No. 41 of 1996. The policy was then 
followed up with Regional Autonomy Law No. 22 of 1999. Meanwhile, Law No. 32 of 
2004, which was replaced by Law No. 23 of 2014, has explicitly stated that each region 
can optimize their potential and diversity. The policy also provides convenience for 
investors to invest in industrial development (Suara Merdeka, May 25, 2015). The 
description above is one factor causing the rapid conversion of land functions. In 
addition, the need for industrial areas also affects the value of land, which increases in 
a short time. 

When several industrial areas, such as the Candi Industrial Area, the Bukit 
Semarang Baru Area, and the Lamicitra Nusantara Area, began to be built, the 
surrounding areas experienced a change in function due to the drastic increase in land 
value. The rise in land value can occur due to several factors, including the location 
close to the toll gate and one of the flood-free areas. Geo-economically, areas with these 
characteristics are considered strategic. These conditions are attractive places for 
business development. That is because the distance and travel time are shorter, 
transportation costs are cheap, and the ease of transporting goods and passengers. In 



 
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addition, high accessibility attracts investors, entrepreneurs, and the community to 
invest in this location. The location also has easy access to the port as an infrastructure 
for loading and unloading export-import commodities because it is close to the 
national highway. In other words, its location is on the main route connecting 
Semarang City in the western and eastern regions of Java Island. Moreover, the area 
began to be equipped with trade, commerce, services, and industry sectors that 
increasingly provide convenience and comfort for the residents. That is because almost 
all user needs can be met or obtained. These various facilities indirectly became one of 
the factors that caused land prices to double. 

At the end of the 20th century, the phenomenon that occurred in big cities in 
Western countries was the demand for job locations close to where they lived. In 
addition, locations close to the workplace are also equipped with recreational, 
entertainment, and sports facilities, education, communication, transportation, 
business, services, and trade. The phenomenon will occur in developing countries in 
the future. Therefore, developers in Semarang City are always looking for strategic 
space by considering economic principles. On the other hand, consumers are willing 
to pay any price offered if they get adequate facilities. When suburban areas have 
access, as mentioned above, there is the potential for an increase in demand. It will 
impact the increase in land prices that cannot be predicted or controlled (Disperindag, 
Semarang City Government, 2020). 

Based on Law No. 14 of 2011, the spatial development pattern of industrial areas 
can be based on the location and function of the land being developed. In general, 
industrial areas in Semarang are located along faster transportation routes. Land 
development in these areas can cause high mobility. Therefore, land use can be 
explained using the relocation diffusion model. The spatial distribution model is used 
when people leave their home areas for economic interests. Related to the topography 
and division of areas in an area, Northam explains that appropriate topography and 
zoning will facilitate the provision of utility infrastructure. The expansion of the city 
area in his study can be called "invasion", and the process of introducing the city can 
be called "urban sprawl" (Northam, 1994, pp. 31-35). In general, the physical 
distribution of Semarang City follows a pattern similar to Northam's explanation. That 
is because the road network in various regions shows uneven distribution in each part 
of the suburban development. The topography and geographical conditions of the area 
have varying contours, so the development tends to be elongated/linear. In addition, 
the spatial distribution pattern in the suburban area is formed evenly due to the 
increasing quality of connecting roads (neighbourhood roads). Therefore, there is a 
space division between community groups in residential, industrial, and commercial 
areas. As instructed by the central government, the business licensing process needs 
to be facilitated so that the conversion and utilization of land in the suburban areas of 
Semarang City are increasingly intense. Based on the results of the spatial planning 
and spatial utilization analysis, many suburban villages are declared eligible as 
integrated industrial areas, even though they have an area of >50 Ha. That is because 
the Waste Treatment Plant (IPAL), one of the requirements for developing an area, can 



 
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be built (Mayor Regulation No. 9 of 2015). The determination and placement of the 
area have also gone through a feasibility analysis and careful planning. The analysis 
was carried out by considering the availability of supporting infrastructure, such as 
the Tanjung Emas seaport's location within a certain radius as an outlet for inter-island 
and export products. In addition, there is also a network of northern and eastern 
arterial roads as primary collector roads connecting the area with the port (outlet). The 
network is equipped with adequate capacity electricity, water sources, 
telecommunications networks, and supporting facilities such as banking, health, and 
safety infrastructure. 

Based on data from the Department of Industry and Trade in 2019, more than 
50% of land ownership in industrial areas on the outskirts of Semarang City is 
managed and run by the private sector. That condition illustrates the intensity of 
domestic and foreign private investment. In addition, these institutions supervise area 
ownership, control it, and evaluate its use. Meanwhile, the division of industrial 
locations must always follow mitigation laws. Niandyati et al. (2019) explained in their 
study that changes in land use in suburban areas designated for industrial areas must 
consider the social impacts. That is because the suburban agricultural regions will 
continue to experience densification and expansion. That condition will cause various 
problems if not anticipated in advance and through an environmental impact analysis 
(AMDAL). 

 
Conclusion 
The increasingly limited land in urban areas is one of the causes of the rapid growth 
of suburban areas. It is due to the movement of people from the city centre to the 
suburbs in the early 21st century. The movement of people occurred because the 
suburbs could still find relatively empty land and could be developed with careful 
planning to make it relatively more comfortable. The use of space to meet housing and 
business needs has caused land prices to increase quickly. The suburbs of Semarang 
have become a new space for macro-scale economic activities. Integrated regional 
development is an inseparable part of environmental change and its use. Meanwhile, 
the selection of industrial areas has been carried out with careful planning, calculation, 
and analysis. The determination was made by considering environmental aspects. The 
government did that to avoid future problems such as natural disasters. 
 
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