Vanishing Paradise: Planning and Conflict in Bali
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VANISHING PARADISE: PLANNING AND CONFLICT IN BALI Gusti Ayu Made Suartika A Thesis submitted in fulfillment Of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Faculty of the Built Environment, University of New South Wales 2005 PLEASE TYPE THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES Thesis/Project Report Sheet Surname or Family name: SUARTIKA First name: GUSTI Other name/s: AYU MADE Abbreviation for degree as given in the University calendar: PhD School: Faculty of the Built Environment Title: VANISHING PARADISE: PLANNING AND CONFLICT IN BALI Abstract 350 words maximum: (PLEASE TYPE) This thesis is about the continuing life of Balinese culture and traditions currently under threat from unregulated economic development, mass tourism, and migration. Critical to this study are considerations surrounding the control of land and its improvements, as well as the success and failure of urban planning within the sphere of cultural conservation. The thesis argues that “State planning systems as imposed by the Indonesian government are inappropriate in the Balinese context.” While this statement seems fairly straightforward on the surface, it involves a complex understanding of the forces mentioned above, of their interaction and their effects on local culture. This study adopts a hermeneutic approach to theory seeking greater depth of meaning rather than discovering new facts, and embodies three main strategies. The first explains the relationship between society and space using a cultural matrix derived from anthropologist E.T.Hall. The second strategy deploys qualitative research method using focus groups, and third, it uses in-depth personal surveys at physical sites. The thesis therefore reveals the eroding impacts of tourism on local culture. Focusing on territoriality, it embraces two contradicting sets of values represented in the traditional Balinese system of Adat, and those of the market-based system of the Indonesian State. Resulting conflicts are demonstrated through specific and generic case studies. Here, the dominant position of modern state planning establishes the legal foundation on which capitalist practices, the dominating role of private enterprise, corruption, and collusionary attitudes are nourished. While the role of the government in promoting tourism, and the economic significance of the industry are acknowledged, the study measures these against the costs of such advantages to the Balinese way of life. Overall, the thesis reflects upon ongoing territorial problems that have been experienced in Bali for more than forty years. It provides an in depth analysis of how state imposed planning systems are locked in critical conflict with the proven and functioning traditional Balinese Adat. Finally, the necessary features of future planning systems are proposed in order to revitalize local culture. Hence the thesis demonstrates that modern systems of planning are inappropriate to Balinese cultural conservation. Declaration relating to disposition of project report/thesis I am fully aware of the policy of the University relating to the retention and use of higher degree project reports and theses, namely that the University retains the copies submitted for examination and is free to allow them to be consulted or borrowed. Subject to the provision of the Copyright Act 1968, the University may issue a project report or thesis in whole or in part, in photostat or microfilm or other copying medium. I also authorize the publication by University Microfilms a 350 word abstract in Dissertation Abstracts International (applicable to doctorates only) ……………………………………………………….. ….……………………………………………………. ………………………………….. 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Copyright Statement 'I hereby grant to the University of New South Wales or its agents the right to archive and to make available my thesis or dissertation in whole or part in the University libraries in all forms of media, now or hereafter known, subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. I retain all proprietary rights, such as patent rights. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or dissertation. I also authorize University Microfilm to use the abstract of my thesis in Dissertations Abstract International I have either used no substantial portions of copyright material in my thesis or have I have obtained permission to use copyright material; where permission has not been granted I have applied/will apply for a partial restriction of the digital copy of my thesis or dissertation.' Authenticity Statement 'I certify that the Library deposit digital copy is a direct equivalent of the final officially approved version of my thesis. No emendation of content has occurred and if there are any minor variations in formatting, they are the result of the conversion to digital format.' ABSTRACT This thesis is about the continuing life of Balinese culture and traditions currently under threat from unregulated economic development, mass tourism, and migration. Critical to this study are considerations surrounding the control of land and its improvements, as well as the success and failure of urban planning within the sphere of cultural conservation. The thesis argues that “State planning systems as imposed by the Indonesian government are inappropriate in the Balinese context.” While this statement seems fairly straightforward on the surface, it involves a complex understanding of the forces mentioned above, of their interaction and their effects on local culture. This study adopts a hermeneutic approach to theory seeking greater depth of meaning rather than discovering new facts, and embodies three main strategies. The first explains the relationship between society and space using a cultural matrix derived from anthropologist E.T.Hall. The second strategy deploys qualitative research method using focus groups, and third, it uses in-depth personal surveys at physical sites. The thesis therefore reveals the eroding impacts of tourism on local culture. Focusing on territoriality, it embraces two contradicting sets of values represented in the traditional Balinese system of Adat, and those of the market-based system of the Indonesian State. Resulting conflicts are demonstrated through specific and generic case studies. Here, the dominant position of modern state planning establishes the legal foundation on which capitalist practices, the dominating role of private enterprise, corruption, and collusionary attitudes are nourished. While the role of the government in promoting tourism, and the economic significance of the industry are acknowledged, the study measures these against the costs of such advantages to the Balinese way of life. Overall, the thesis reflects upon ongoing territorial problems that have been experienced in Bali for more than forty years. It provides an in depth analysis of how state imposed planning systems are locked in critical conflict with the proven and functioning traditional Balinese Adat. Finally, the necessary features of future planning systems are proposed in order to revitalize local culture. Hence the thesis demonstrates that modern systems of planning are inappropriate to Balinese cultural conservation. Abstract ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My deepest appreciation is extended to the Indonesian Department of Education and Culture for partially funding this PhD study, and the Faculty of the Built Environment (FBE) of the University of New South Wales Australia, for providing a one-year scholarship to complete this study. I sincerely thank Professor Alexander Cuthbert for his invaluable time, and for providing the constructive feedback required for the structure and content of this thesis. His critical guidance and advice has always encouraged me to learn and explore new knowledge, and has contributed most importantly not only to this research, but also to my future research career. To Mr Peter Williams, thank you for his contribution, since the inception of this study. To Professor Terry McGee, my gratitude for his useful comments in the early stages of this research. My appreciation extends to Professor Peter Murphy, for his comments on the first