Sustainable urban communities: Territoriality of waqf-based communal place in Kampong Cities

Abstract

One of the problems in today’s urban development is the scarcity of communal spaces in settlements. The communal space is a shared space where the community performs social interactions, establishes the community, and performs collective activities in the local community. One form of local wisdom that develops in forming communal spaces is the waqf land. Almost the entire Muslim community is involved in the running of the waqf. Likewise, in the city of Semarang, with its predominantly Muslim citizens, almost all kelurahan areas have waqf land. From this waqf land various communal spaces such as places of worship, education, and social, economic, and environmental infrastructure were developed. This study aims to formulate the territoriality of communal spaces that developed from the waqf process in Kauman Village as a representation of dense settlements in Semarang City. The research uses a holistic single case study method and inductive analysis to find the common thread of spatial territoriality. The study found that territoriality was developed through the enforcement of religious values, the legality of ownership status, institutional systems, and the development of complementary spatial functions according to communal needs. This system continues to serve the needs of the community in the long term.