Inclusionary planning instruments in two Indonesian cities: a missed opportunity to address urban inequalities

With rising urban inequalities worldwide, inclusionary planning instruments can contribute to more just and inclusive cities and societies by making housing accessible to various social groups. Although these instruments have existed for several decades, their implementation has not always been successful. There is a limited understanding of how these instruments contribute to the public good and the reasons for their failure. By examining the implementation of two inclusionary instruments known as the Balanced Housing Ratio 1:2:3 and the ‘Socialization’ Process used to regulate the construction of new housing by the private sector in Jakarta and Yogyakarta (Indonesia), this article provides evidence to better understand the reasons for their failure and gives entry points for policymakers to be able to design and implement inclusive planning instruments that have stronger impact. The research uses qualitative methods for data collection, including semi-structured interviews as the principal method, complemented by observations, a policy review and a workshop for background and contextual information. This in-depth analysis of the challenges to implement inclusionary instruments related to housing development in Indonesia shows that their failure leads to further social and spatial inequality in cities and a shortcoming of the planning system to contribute to the public good.