Understanding mobility inequality in Jakarta with Space Syntax

In Southeast Asia, cities are often plagued by mobility issues. Their socio-spatial structures—defined as the configuration of the street networks and locations of key functions—often lead to mobility inequalities whereby spatial fragmentation affects the individual’s ability to move through the built environment and access key functions to participate in socioeconomic activities. This chapter describes these mobility inequalities in terms of access to educational facilities and uses Space Syntax as a diagnostic method to analyse kampung Menteng (a typical form of informal settlement) in Jakarta with the “Choice” indicator to show potential through-movement for vehicular and pedestrian access. Our findings show that (1) wealthier neighbourhood favour car access, (2) quality educational facilities are usually only accessible by private car and (3) although kampungs are highly connected locally and favour pedestrian movement, there are safety risks involved for pedestrians. This has consequences for whom may or may not access quality education, especially at the secondary and tertiary levels. This approach provides an evidence-based understanding to urban planners and policymakers on how current socio-spatial structures induce mobility inequalities and horizontal and vertical coordination is needed to resolve this key challenge of governance.