Environmental Security and Civic Space:
Implementing Paradiplomacy to Mitigate the Impact of Sea Level Rise on Coastal Communities in Bandar Lampung
*Khairunnisa Simbolon [Assistant Professor, Lampung University]
Indra Jaya Wiranata [Lecturer, Lampung University]
A. INTRODUCTION
Coastal cities worldwide are on the front lines of climate change, with rising sea levels posing a direct and imminent threat to their infrastructure, economies, and communities. Bandar Lampung, a coastal city in Indonesia, is one such urban center grappling with these challenges. The city's coastal subdistricts, including Panjang, Bumiwaras, Teluk Betung Timur, and Teluk Betung Selatan, are home to over 220,000 residents whose daily lives are increasingly disrupted by rising tides, flooding, and coastal erosion.(BPS, 2023; Environmental Protection, n.d.) A central element of this disruption is the damage inflicted on the city’s civic spaces—areas that are vital for social interaction, cultural activities, and economic exchange. Civic spaces such as parks, promenades, marketplaces, and public squares play a crucial role in fostering community cohesion and supporting the local economy. However, the very existence of these spaces is now at risk (Brown, 2020).
.
.
.
E. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
In conclusion, Bandar Lampung faces significant challenges related to flooding, erosion, and insufficient infrastructure, which negatively impact civic spaces, local businesses, and the broader community. The socio-economic consequences, particularly for small businesses and local employment, exacerbate the vulnerability of the city's coastal areas. Paradiplomacy offers a viable solution by fostering international partnerships, enabling knowledge transfer, and providing access to funding and technical expertise. By collaborating with cities that have successfully addressed similar issues, such as Rotterdam, Copenhagen, and coastal cities in Japan, Bandar Lampung can implement proven flood management and erosion control strategies. Additionally, paradiplomatic engagement can strengthen local economic resilience by promoting international trade opportunities and attracting foreign investment in sustainable development. To further bolster its climate adaptation efforts, Bandar Lampung should also engage with NGOs, civil society, and international research institutions to enhance institutional capacity and community involvement. Therefore, it is recommended that Bandar Lampung actively pursue paradiplomatic relationships, focus on upgrading its drainage systems, invest in green infrastructure, and strengthen local capacity to ensure long-term resilience against climate-related vulnerabilities.
*Presenter at the 14th WHRCF.
Environmental Security and Civic Space:
Implementing Paradiplomacy to Mitigate the Impact of Sea Level Rise on Coastal Communities in Bandar Lampung
*Khairunnisa Simbolon [Assistant Professor, Lampung University]
Indra Jaya Wiranata [Lecturer, Lampung University]
A. INTRODUCTION
Coastal cities worldwide are on the front lines of climate change, with rising sea levels posing a direct and imminent threat to their infrastructure, economies, and communities. Bandar Lampung, a coastal city in Indonesia, is one such urban center grappling with these challenges. The city's coastal subdistricts, including Panjang, Bumiwaras, Teluk Betung Timur, and Teluk Betung Selatan, are home to over 220,000 residents whose daily lives are increasingly disrupted by rising tides, flooding, and coastal erosion.(BPS, 2023; Environmental Protection, n.d.) A central element of this disruption is the damage inflicted on the city’s civic spaces—areas that are vital for social interaction, cultural activities, and economic exchange. Civic spaces such as parks, promenades, marketplaces, and public squares play a crucial role in fostering community cohesion and supporting the local economy. However, the very existence of these spaces is now at risk (Brown, 2020).
.
.
.
E. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
In conclusion, Bandar Lampung faces significant challenges related to flooding, erosion, and insufficient infrastructure, which negatively impact civic spaces, local businesses, and the broader community. The socio-economic consequences, particularly for small businesses and local employment, exacerbate the vulnerability of the city's coastal areas. Paradiplomacy offers a viable solution by fostering international partnerships, enabling knowledge transfer, and providing access to funding and technical expertise. By collaborating with cities that have successfully addressed similar issues, such as Rotterdam, Copenhagen, and coastal cities in Japan, Bandar Lampung can implement proven flood management and erosion control strategies. Additionally, paradiplomatic engagement can strengthen local economic resilience by promoting international trade opportunities and attracting foreign investment in sustainable development. To further bolster its climate adaptation efforts, Bandar Lampung should also engage with NGOs, civil society, and international research institutions to enhance institutional capacity and community involvement. Therefore, it is recommended that Bandar Lampung actively pursue paradiplomatic relationships, focus on upgrading its drainage systems, invest in green infrastructure, and strengthen local capacity to ensure long-term resilience against climate-related vulnerabilities.
*Presenter at the 14th WHRCF.