Accumulation by Dispossession in New Urban Development in Tangerang: A Case Study of Alam Sutera

Abstract

This study aims to examine the extent to which the development of new urban land, especially Alam Sutera in Tangerang, is a case of capital accumulation by land grabbing, such as the concept of accumulation by dispossesion introduced by David Harvey (2003). Alam Sutera is a new urban residential area located in Tangerang, Indonesia. Currently, the Alam Sutera area has grown rapidly to become one of the strategic areas in Tangerang. To answer the study objectives, this study uses a qualitative approach with the method of observation, interviews, and some supporting literature. Accumulation by dispossession refers to the process by which the means of production for the purpose of capital accumulation are obtained through extra-economic coercion. In the process, there is a role for the private sector and state actors in facilitating and benefiting from the process. Nonetheless, the fact is that there are currently no organizations well-organized enough to thwart the tendency of accumulation by further dispossession. This study wants to show that the new urban development of Alam Sutera is a process of accumulation by dispossession as conceptualized by David Harvey. This research practically provides an important reflection in seeing the dynamics of new urban developments in Indonesia, especially in Tangerang. This study wants to show that the new urban development of Alam Sutera is a process of accumulation by dispossession as conceptualized by David Harvey. This research practically provides an important reflection in seeing the dynamics of new urban developments in Indonesia, especially in Tangerang. This study wants to show that the new urban development of Alam Sutera is a process of accumulation by dispossession as conceptualized by David Harvey. This research practically provides an important reflection in seeing the dynamics of new urban developments in Indonesia, especially in Tangerang.