Jakarta – floods, air pollution and traffic congestion: a qualitative study of upper‐middle class perceptions and responses to urban pressures

This study explores the social perceptions and adaptive strategies of Jakarta's upper‐middle class in response to flooding, poor air quality, and severe traffic congestion. It aims to uncover broader patterns of behaviour, decision‐making, and attitudes within this socioeconomic group, which has greater access to resources and options when facing environmental crises and yet remains understudied in scholarly discourse. By focusing on how affluent residents address climate‐induced challenges, the research sheds light on their distinct resilience strategies. While resilience studies often emphasize vulnerable communities, this work highlights the adaptive capacities of wealthier populations, revealing alternative pathways to resilience. Employing a qualitative, bottom‐up approach, the study examines how Jakarta's upper‐middle class perceives climate risks and navigates their spatial, social, and economic environments in response. Data was collected through in‐depth interviews with city residents, providing a nuanced understanding of individual and collective adaptation strategies. The findings offer valuable insights for global contexts, enriching our understanding of resilience and adaptation across diverse socio‐economic groups in the face of environmental change.