Urban Space and Mental Well-Being: The

Effect of Jakarta Relocation Program on

Mental Well-Being of the People
1. Introduction

Jakarta is one of the most vibrant city in South East Asia that has not escaped the

inequality problems. Many of the population still live in slumps and hazardous area. However,

as an economic and government centre of Indonesia, Jakarta becomes a vital aspect in the

overall country’s development. The attractiveness of Jakarta has been shown through the

divisive, yet peaceful gubernatorial election.

However, despite a good track record, Basuki “Ahok” Tjahja Purnama has lost to ex-

education minister, Anies Baswedan. The reason behind the surprising election result is not

necessarily religious. According to Topsfield (2017), the reason behind Anies’ win is because

Ahok was unpopular among the lower class, especially those that experienced eviction and

relocation. Both issues seem to influence people’s choice in the election (Topsfield 2017).

During Ahok’s era, many of the lower class who lived in slumps and hazardous area

were relocated and moved into low-cost rental apartments or rusunawa. This program has

yielded mixed results. There are many reports that the relocation program has made people

worse-off, while many also responded positively (Topsfield 2017; Kompasiana 2016).

Therefore, this research is intended to look into the mental well-being of people who were

being relocated, as an important indicator of the overall well-being.

 2. Problem recognition, research purpose, and research questions

formulation

Mental well-being plays a vital role in people overall well-being. Mental health

indicates the absence/presence of mental illness (Cappon 1971). It is also an indicator for

people’s ability to function as a social being – where they are expected to adapt both

individually and collectively to certain environment (Cappon 1971). It is also explained that

mental health and well-being are important aspects in people’s capability to “mature and fulfil

potentials” as human beings (Cappon 1971, 427).

It has been reported in the media (Topsfield 2017; Anya & Halim 2016) regarding the

problematic nature of the governor relocation program aimed to revitalise the city and eradicate

problems such as flooding and minimum green space. It is mentioned that many occupants are

unable to pay rent and are seen to be worse off compared to when they lived in the previous

locations (Riana 2017; Tarigan 2016). However, many reports have also pointed out otherwise

(Kompasiana 2016). For example, the relocation program in Kalijodo has received positive

reactions from general public, as the area used to be a centre for prostitutions and other social

issues (Kompasiana 2016). Although, the reactions from the occupants have remained mixed

(Kompasiana 2016). This research is aimed to provide a clarity for the new elected governor

to address the issues within urban living space, especially among the lower class, which

dominates Jakarta’s demographic composition by 73 percent (McCarthy 2003). In addition,

this research is also intended for raising awareness towards mental well-being, especially

within the lower class.

It is important to see how occupants’ perceptions of modern living affect their mental

well-being. The well-being will likely affect the overall cognition of occupants, which would

affect their functionality in social setting and as economic beings (World Health Organization

2011). Mentally healthy people have more chances to strive both socially and economically
(World Health Organization 2011). Therefore, creating a suitable urban space where it provides

mean for better mental well-being is a critical issue in development (World Health

Organization 2011).

There are aspects that may influence the occupants metal well-being. It is crucial to

analyse how relocation program done by Basuki “Ahok” Tjahja Purnama, as the governor

during the time, affects the overall mental well-being of the households being relocated. These

households were forced to leave their familiar environment into an unknown environment.

They were also forced to leave their previous lifestyle and adapt to a “more modern” style.

These households are more adapted towards a more conventional lifestyle which includes

horizontal housing, moreover, some make their livings in their houses (Tarigan 2016).

Based on the discussion above, there is a need to analyse how living space and urban

environment affect mental well-being of people in an empirical way in order to evaluate the

effect of Ahok’s relocation policy on the overall mental well-being. This would help the next

governor to decide the best policy options to address overcrowding and slumps formation in

Jakarta. Thus, the research questions can be formulated as follows:

a. Does changing urban environment affect people mental well-being?

b. Does high-rise housing affect people mental well-being?

c. Does modern living affect people mental well-being?

d. Does eviction affect people mental well-being?

3. Literature review and hypothesis development

3.1. Urban environment and mental well-being

There are aspects of physical living environment that may affect people’s mental well-

being (Guite, Clark, Ackrill 2006). It is argued that good housing area and condition are

perceived to be crucial factors to people’s health and mental well-being (Guite et al. 2006). In
addition, housing area with accessible outdoor environment also contributes in people’s mental

well-being (Evered 2016). It is mentioned that urban environment also provides therapeutic

effects for people recovering from mental illnesses (Evered 2016).

However, there is limited literature that examines the effect of changing urban

environment for people who are used to living in slumps. In the case of Jakarta, people were

forced to experience a change of environment, from horizontal housing to vertical housing.

Therefore, the hypothesis construct for the relationship of changing urban environment and

mental well-being is as follows:

H1. Changing urban environment has a negative influence on people mental

well-being.

3.2. High-rise living and mental well-being

The concept of living in a high-rise apartment is often argued as problematic. Cappon

(1971) argued that high-rise apartments cannot be considered as permanent “homes”. Cappon

(1971) mentioned that high-rise apartments are temporary dwellings and only provide shelters.

For Cappon (1971), landed houses as single family dwellings can provide “homes” for the

occupants, where the inhabitants are uniquely distinguished based on their preferred profile.

Cappon (1971) gave an example how some people prefer a more expensive house for their

chosen privacy level. This has showed that every household is unique. However, Cappon

(1971) mentioned that preference of high-rise or landed house lies in the subjective perception

of people. It is explained that some people prefer to live in high-rise apartments and take part

in the modern living (Cappon 1971).

High-rise living is also argued to create social isolation and minimum size of living size

which contribute greatly to people’s mental well-being (Evans, Wells, Moch 2003). It is

mentioned that people who live in single-family detached houses perform best in terms of
mental well-being (Evans et al. 2003). In addition, it is also mentioned that people who live on

higher level tend to be more mentally unstable (Evans et al. 2003). According to Evans et al.

(2003), these people are affected by the risks of living in higher floor, such as anxiety regarding

accidents and falls. Therefore, based on the discussions, the second hypothesis can be

formulated as follows:

H2. High-rise living has a negative influence on people mental well-being.

3.3. Modernity and mental well-being

The apartment house has arguably become an indicator of a city’s metropolitanism and

modernity (Dennis 1994). It has become a symbol of the changing lifestyle and the domination

capitalism in the domestic environment (Dennis 1994). The apartment house is regarded as a

profit creator, resulting from market speculation and increasing corporate capitalism (Dennis

1994). It is argued that capitalism has marked society transformation and integration into the

“modern” world, with market mechanism as the foundation (Casassas & Wagner 2016).

Therefore, as apartments have represented the assimilation of capitalism into the domestic

environment, when people start living in apartment houses, these people are taking part in the

modernity itself (Dennis 1994).

However, the obsession towards modernity, according to Carlisle, Henderson and

Hanlon (2009), has created some socio-cultural issues regarding emotional well-being. It is

argued that the individualistic nature of modernity has created isolation in the society, which

brings negative impact for people’s emotional well-being (Carlisle et al. 2009). Based on this

notion, the third hypothesis can be devised as follows:

H3. Modernity has a negative influence on people mental well-being

 3.4. Eviction and mental well-being

Housing is one of the most crucial aspects in the narrative of poverty (Desmond &

Kimbro 2015). It is argued that housing burden are intensified among poor families (Desmond

& Kimbro 2015). These poor families, according to Desmond & Kimbro (2015) are on the

highest risk of eviction due to living environments (slumps, overcrowding, hazardous

environment) and economic background. It is mentioned that eviction could cause trauma and

may have significant effect on people’s physical health and mental well-being (Desmond &

Kimbro 2015).

In the case of Jakarta, Ahok implemented the eviction and rehousing program in order

to address issues of slumps, overcrowding, and hazardous environment (Yuanita 2016).

However, the effect of eviction on the mental well-being of the displaced is still unknown.

Based on the discussion above, the construction of the fourth hypothesis can be as follows:

H4. Eviction has a negative influence on people mental well-being

3.5. Research Model

To examine the effect of Ahok’s relocation program on people mental well-being, it is

necessary to investigate how high-rise and modern living affect the mental well-being. This is

because the people who are being relocated have to go through drastic lifestyle changes and

are required to readjust themselves in terms of economy. In addition, it is also important to

examine how eviction itself affects the mental well-being of the people.

In this research, mental well-being acts as the dependent variable and is presumed to be

influenced by independent variables, which consist of changing urban environment, high-rise

living, modernity, and eviction. Therefore, the proposed research model can be drawn as

follows:
 Figure 3.1: Proposed Research Model

Changing Urban
Environment

H1

High-Rise Living
H2
Mental Well-
Being
H3
Modernity

H4

Eviction

4. Research Method

This research is intended as a causal study and is done using quantitative approach. A

causal study is needed to examine the correlation between the dependent variables and

independent variables (Center for Innovation in Research and Teaching 2017). Therefore, this

research requires a quantitative approach by using surveys. The surveys will be done in three

Rusunawa locations throughout DKI Jakarta. The surveys will be done by combining

questionnaires and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale Test (K10). The K10 test is a general

measure of distress, based on the questions pertaining anxiety and depressive symptoms that

have been experienced in the one month period (Kessler, Andrews, Colpe et al. 2002). Samples

are required to do two questionnaires set, one to measure the independent variables another for

the dependent variable. The dependent variable (mental well-being) will be measured by the

K10 score. Good mental well-being is indicated by lower score of K10 test (Kessler et al. 2002).
 The data obtained will be analysed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The

method is useful to examine the complex relationships between variables (Kaplan 2009). SEM

is chosen because compared to multiple regression, SEM is considered as more accurate

through the use of Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to look for errors in the measurements

(Kaplan 2009).

The sampling method that will be used in this research is purposive sampling, focusing

on certain characteristics and criteria (Knotters & Brus 2013). In this research, the sample is

taken from the occupants of rusunawa that has gone through eviction from their previous

location. The sample background data will be collected through Rukun Warga, and will be

filtered based on the date the residents moved into the complex. The residents which will be

asked to fill in the questionnaires should be in productive age according to national standard

(Lembaga Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia 2016). This is because people who are most affected

by the relocation programs are those in productive age as they have to adjust their livelihood

(Topsfield 2017). As an example, many of the people used to open businesses in their own

homes (Topsfield 2017). Another example is most of the people who lived in Pasar Ikan Luar

Batang worked as fishermen (Yuanita 2016). With the relocation program, these people need

to adjust their lifestyle and their livelihood drastically in order to adapt to the new environment

(Topsfield 2017).

The research will require 375 samples. The number of relocated people in 2016,

according to Arjawinangun (2016) reached 15,599. Based on the matrix by The Research

Advisors (2006), for population size between 10,000 and 25,000, with confidence level of 95%

and 5% margin of error, the appropriate sample size is between 370 and 378.
 5. Practical Implementation Plan

This research will be carried on within six months. The location of this research will be

in Jakarta, Indonesia. The first three months will be used for data collection. Data analysis and

submission will be done in the next half of the period. The questionnaires for the research,

including the K10 test will be translated into Bahasa Indonesia and the questionnaires will be

verbatim.

This research will rely on the data availability in the Rukun Warga administration, as

well as the accuracy of the information provided by respondents. Therefore, for practicality

issue, this research will only take place in three rusunawa, one representation for each region.

In region 1, the research location will be in Rusun Marunda, for region 2, the location will be

in Rusun Flamboyan, and Rusun Jatinegara Barat for region 3. For each rusunawa, the time

limit for data collection is one month with sample size of 125.

6. Ethics, access, and reflexivity

The challenge for this research will be in the data accuracy and dealing with Indonesian

bureaucracy. In addition, Rukun Warga administration may not have the data required for

sampling. It is also difficult to get access to the respondents and ask them to answer the

questionnaire as some of them may not want to cooperate. It may also become difficult for the

respondents to talk about mental well-being.

Privacy may also be an issue in carry out this research. People may not feel comfortable

in talking about their mental well-being with others, let alone a stranger. This research may

also be clouded by the researcher’s assumption that the lower class may have worse mental

well-being compared to those with better economic condition.

 7. Limitations

The limitation of this research is that this research may simplify the relationship

between lifestyle and mental well-being. It is important to acknowledge that mental well-being

is a complex issue and may be influenced by numerous factors outside of lifestyle. This

research may not be a good indicator of the relationship between lifestyle and mental well-

being as this research is only carried out in Jakarta, with rather concentrated sample population.

In addition, while this research may provide clarity in the real condition of people who

were relocated, this research does not provide the solution. Furthermore, while this research

provides the relationship between lifestyle and mental well-being, this research does not take

into account the existing mental health issues that may present in the sample population before

the relocation program.

8. Conclusion

In conclusion, this research will address the relationship between Ahok’s relocation

program, changing lifestyle, and people mental well-being. The purpose of this research is to

create a clarity for the new elected governor to address the issues in Jakarta in a more human-

sensitive way, by taking into account the mental well-being of the people. Creating awareness

in people mental well-being would help creating a more long-term and sustainable plan in

addressing overcrowding and slumps in Jakarta.

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