Self-organisation and megaregional transport planning along the North Coast of Java

This article explores the intricate relationship between self-organisation and planning in megaregional transportation dynamics, using the North Coast of Java as a case study. Focusing on circular migration during the Eid holiday season, the study identifies the crucial roles of symmetry breaks, feedback loops and interventions in shaping transportation patterns. Specifically, the article employs qualitative methods, including interviews with key stakeholders and analysis of transportation data, to investigate the dynamics of circular migration. The findings reveal how planning interventions influence outcomes, emphasise the importance of multilevel governance, and offer insights for planning in complex systems. This work enhances our understanding of self-organisation and planning, providing valuable guidance for urban practitioners dealing with complex socio-spatial systems. This article was published open access under a CC BY-NC-ND licence: https://creativecommons.org/licences/by-nc-nd/4.0/ .