Enhancing Legal Capacity of Urban Poor in North Jakarta: A Case Study on Eviction and Housing Rights

Meningkatkan Kapasitas Hukum Masyarakat Miskin Perkotaan di Jakarta Utara: Studi Kasus tentang Penggusuran dan Hak Perumahan

Abstract

Introduction:
Accelerated urban redevelopment in Jakarta has intensified spatial inequality and increased the vulnerability of the urban poor to forced evictions. In North Jakarta, evictions are frequently carried out in the name of infrastructure development and flood mitigation, often without meaningful consultation, adequate compensation, or access to legal remedies. The limited legal capacity of affected communities further weakens their ability to claim housing rights guaranteed under national law and international human rights frameworks.

Purposes:
This study aims to examine how legal capacity-building initiatives contribute to the protection of housing rights among urban poor communities facing eviction in North Jakarta. It specifically assesses the effectiveness of legal education, community paralegals, and legal assistance in strengthening community agency.

Method:
The research adopts a qualitative case study approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with evicted residents, community leaders, legal aid lawyers, and local government officials. These were complemented by focus group discussions and analysis of legal documents, eviction notices, court rulings, and housing policies. Data were analyzed thematically to identify patterns of legal empowerment and structural constraints.

Findings and Results:
The findings reveal that legal capacity-building initiatives significantly enhanced residents’ understanding of housing rights, due process, and available legal mechanisms. Community paralegals played a crucial role in translating legal norms into accessible knowledge and facilitating collective action. Legal assistance enabled residents to challenge eviction procedures, negotiate relocation terms, and temporarily suspend evictions. However, the impact remained uneven due to power imbalances, political interests, and inconsistent law enforcement.

Urgency:
The urgency of strengthening legal capacity is underscored by the continuing cycle of evictions and the absence of long-term housing solutions for the urban poor.

Contribution:
This study contributes to socio-legal scholarship by demonstrating how legal empowerment serves as a practical tool for protecting rights in urban contexts.

Recommendation:
The study recommends integrating legal capacity-building into urban planning processes and institutionalizing community-based paralegal programs.