(Im)mobility and Environmental Change in the Coastal Sinking Cities of Java, Indonesia

Environmental degradation induced by climate change disturbs livelihoods and is, therefore, a critical issue in policy and academic discourses on immobility. This paper aims to investigate experiences of immobility in three coastal areas within Indonesian cities of varying adaptive capacities, with a focus on women who represent vulnerable people whose role can be attributed to policies and governance. We adopted a qualitative methodological approach, combining ethnography and utilizing in-depth interviews with a total of 60 respondents, and roundtable discussions representing various stakeholders. Three locations, i.e., Muara Angke, Tambak Lorok, Panjang Wetan, were selected because the residents experience immobility despite massive environmental pressures. Direct and indirect adaptive capacities can lead to more equitable opportunities for residents to choose between staying or moving out and thereby may promote increased mobility justice. We highlight ways in which policy and political governance can better support impacted areas and invest in capacity-building among at-risk populations.