Negotiating the Forbidden Zone: A Sociological Study on Spatial Violations in Urban Riparian Areas

Abstract

This study explores the sociological dimensions of spatial violations in urban riparian zones, focusing on communities residing along the Jeneberang River in Gowa Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Using a qualitative approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews, field observations, and documentation to understand how marginalized populations negotiate their presence in areas officially designated as restricted or protected. The findings reveal that encroachments are not merely acts of defiance against spatial regulations but are driven by economic vulnerability, historical land-use patterns, and inconsistent policy enforcement. Residents often justify their presence in these "forbidden zones" through moral reasoning, local social networks, and survival strategies. The research highlights a significant disconnect between state spatial planning and the lived experiences of the urban poor, where top-down eviction efforts often ignore the complex social fabric of these communities. In alignment with President Prabowo's Asta Cita, particularly the commitment to inclusive development and improved public welfare, this study calls for spatial governance approaches that integrate community participation and social justice. The novelty of this research lies in its sociological lens, shifting the discourse from legalistic or environmental perspectives toward a more human-centered understanding of spatial negotiation and urban inequality in Indonesia.