Jembatan Besi case study

Question 1

Where is Jembatan Besi located? Give some general information

Answer 1

It is a slum in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia (where 10 million people live
It is 4km northwest of the city centre
It is surrounded by other built up areas and is located next to the Ciliwung river
It has a population of 4000 and is one of Jakarta’s most densely populated districts

Question 2

Describe the housing conditions in Jembatan Besi

Answer 2

Few homes have a toilet - waste is flushed into open sewers on the street
One of the most densely populated places in Indonesia - very cramped conditions
The ground floor is relatively well-built, but due to the growing population and lack of space, slums have been built on top of each other, increasingly poorly built and unsafe (“makeshift”) - they are made of scrap metal and wood, and anything residents can find. Fire is a constant risk. Only 25% of housing is well-built
There is virtually no direct sunlight due to narrow streets and tall buildings
Light bulbs are bare
There is no clean running water

Question 3

Describe the environmental conditions in Jembatan Besi

Answer 3

Air pollution is at very high levels - use of kerosene for cooking and levels of emissions over the city pose a significant health risk
Toilets tend to flush out into open sewers on the streets, leading to risks of water-borne diseases such as cholera and typhoid
Groundwater supplies are available but polluted and there is very poor access to resources and no clean running water

Question 4

Describe the levels of income in Jembatan Besi

Answer 4

Most people struggle to “make ends meet”
Average income around US$4 a day
Lots of jobs selling second hand goods (informal employment) - garment selling for young females
Distribution of wealth likely to be similar to in the whole of Jakarta: wealthiest 10% control 30% of household income, poorest 10% only control 3%

Question 5

Describe levels of health in Jembatan Besi

Answer 5

Sanitation “hardly exists”
Few homes have a toilet - open sewers - typhoid and cholera epidemics are very much a risk
No clean running water (see point above)
Pollution from kerosene emissions may cause respiratory problems or lead to cancer
Malaria and Hepatitis A are issues
The young and elderly risk dehydration from diarrhoea
Nutrition is poor as there is food insecurity
Life expectancy is 72

Question 6

Describe levels of education in Jembatan Besi

Answer 6

Most schools are poorly equipped and lack basic resources such as pens, pencils and paper
Many families cannot afford to send their children to school as they require them to earn money to help them get by

Question 7

Describe implications of demographic factors on Jembatan Besi

Answer 7

Inhabitants include people whose families have lived there for generations
Migrant workers who stay for a few months
The garment industry is a major source of employment for many young females

Question 8

What is the future for Jembatan Besi?

Answer 8

Slums are not likely to disappear
Urban authorities are trying to make inroads in the worst areas
392 ‘community units’ - slum areas planned for improvement
There is a strong sense of community and the inhabitants are resilient - just about make ends meet for them and their families and children