Climate-Just Cities: Urbanization and the Right to a Healthy Environment in Indonesia

Abstract

This paper examines the intersection of urbanization, environmental rights, and climate justice in Indonesia, focusing on the growing challenges cities face in balancing development with environmental sustainability. As urbanization accelerates across Indonesia, cities like Jakarta and Surabaya grapple with rising pollution, inadequate waste management, and the growing vulnerability to climate change. These urban issues disproportionately affect marginalized communities, raising concerns over the right to a healthy environment, particularly for low-income and indigenous populations. Through a critical analysis of Indonesia's legal framework and policies, this study investigates the extent to which the right to a healthy environment is protected in urban settings. The paper explores how national and local governments are addressing (or failing to address) the environmental impacts of urbanization, as well as how existing legal mechanisms could be reformed to ensure equitable, climate-just outcomes for all urban residents. It highlights the role of environmental laws, land-use regulations, and climate adaptation strategies in shaping sustainable urban futures. This research contributes to the broader discourse on climate justice by underscoring the legal dimensions of environmental rights in rapidly urbanizing nations. It calls for a more inclusive, justice-centered approach to urban planning and climate policy in Indonesia, advocating for stronger legal protections for vulnerable populations. By drawing attention to the complex relationship between urbanization and environmental degradation, the paper proposes actionable recommendations for integrating climate justice principles into Indonesia’s urban legal and policy frameworks, contributing to international debates on equitable urban sustainability.