Deva Fosterharoldas Swasto, a lecturer at the Department of Architecture and Planning (DTAP), Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), was one of the speakers at a discussion on alternative vertical housing models for residential areas in Yogyakarta City, organized by the Yogyakarta City Government, through the Housing and Settlement Areas Working Group (Pokja PKP).
The discussion addressed the need to develop alternative vertical housing models amid limited land availability and growing housing demand in Yogyakarta City. As a center for education, government, tourism, and economic activities, Yogyakarta has relatively high population density. Meanwhile, data on housing occupancy backlog indicate that 29.72% of households in Yogyakarta City do not yet occupy their own homes, making housing provision an important issue in the city’s development.
The forum also identified several principles that should be considered in developing vertical housing, ranging from affordability and integration with urban activity centers to the provision of communal spaces that can support social interaction and community-based economic activities. The discussion brought together representatives from various local government agencies, academics from several universities, and professional organizations in architecture and planning.
The involvement of academics in this cross-sectoral forum contributes to efforts to promote housing development that not only addresses housing needs but also responds to Yogyakarta’s social and urban context. This effort aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Article by Rindi Dwi Cahyati
Adapted from an article by the Development Planning Agency at Sub-National Level of Yogyakarta City (Bappeda Kota Yogyakarta), “The Yogyakarta City PKP Working Group Discusses Sustainable Vertical Housing Development Strategies”