Planning for resilience in Bandung: case studies of local disaster management strategies

This chapter presents case studies of disaster management strategies in two urban settlements of Bandung, Indonesia, prone to flooding and landslides. It highlights and assesses the underlying factors that affect the efficacy of community-based disaster preparedness. We report on 266 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with the residents of Ciumbuleuit and Tamansari urban villages conducted in late 2019, which were followed by participatory action research workshops where planners worked with residents to develop local action plans. We then assess the effectiveness of the Bandung Spatial Plan in disaster preparedness. The research reveals the potential of local knowledge and participation in resolving dangerous land use issues and how outdated, generalised spatial plans can become more effective and legitimate. It also shows the efficacy of situating planners within the community as facilitators, rather than experts, a challenge that is well-advanced in Western nations but which requires further development in emerging nations such as Indonesia.