Analysis of the Transformation of Social Relations and Living Spaces of Communities Along the Deli River in Medan
Keywords:
Social Transformation, Living Space, SWOT, Riverbank Community, Deli River, MedanAbstract
Changes in spatial structure along the Deli River in Medan City have led to significant transformations in social relations and the living environment of local communities. This study aims to analyze the forms of social relational changes, living space conditions, and to formulate community-strengthening strategies based on a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis. The research methods included field observation, interviews, and visual documentation in three urban villages along the downstream corridor of the Deli River: Kesawan, Aur, and Hamdan. The findings indicate that social relations among residents are still maintained through mutual cooperation and daily interactions, although their intensity has decreased due to limited public spaces and deteriorating environmental conditions. Regarding living space, high residential density, inadequate sanitation, and limited access to clean water are the main challenges. The SWOT analysis reveals that the primary strengths lie in social cohesion and local wisdom, while weaknesses include limited infrastructure and environmental degradation. Opportunities arise from river-based economic potential, whereas the main threats come from urbanization pressure and spatial planning uncertainty. This study emphasizes the need for a community-based sustainable development approach that balances social, economic, and ecological aspects to ensure the sustainability of life along the Deli River.
References
Badan Pusat Statistik Kota Medan, “Kota Medan Dalam Angka 2024,” BPS Medan, 2024.
Wikipedia, “Sungai Deli,” Wikipedia Indonesia, 2025.
M. Nasution, “Ketidaksesuaian Pemanfaatan Ruang di Koridor Sempadan Sungai Deli,” Jurnal Tata Kota dan Daerah, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 45–57, 2024.
H. Kusnanto, S. Dibyosaputro, S. Hadisusanto, dan S. P. Saraswati, “Community Engagement with Urban River Improvement: The Case of Yogyakarta City,” Jurnal Manusia dan Lingkungan, UGM, vol. 31, no. 1, 2024. DOI:10.22146/jml.22484
D. Apriliani dan O. C. Dewi, “A Study of Cisadane Riverside on Riverbank Development Towards Urban Sustainability,” IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, Tangerang, 2023.
C. T. Setiawan dan R. Ningtyas, “Urban Well-Being and Community Development: Investigating the Relationship Between Built Environments, Social Networks, and Quality of Life,” West Science Social and Humanities Studies, vol. 1, no. 2, 2023. DOI:10.58812/wsshs.v1i02.188
R. Rahmawati, “Transformasi Sosial di Kawasan Tepian Sungai Perkotaan,” Jurnal Sosial dan Lingkungan, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 67–79, 2023.
G. David, “SWOT Analysis: A Tool for Strategic Planning,” Journal of Urban Studies and Planning, vol. 45, no. 3, 2022.
B. Simanjuntak, “Penataan Ruang Kawasan Sempadan Sungai Deli dan Implikasinya terhadap Masyarakat,” Jurnal Perencanaan Wilayah dan Kota Nasional, vol. 9, no. 1, 2023.
[10] L. N. Putri, “Urban Flood Risk Management: Adaptation Based on Knowledge of Ethnic Communities on the Banks of the Musi River, Palembang,” IETA Journal of Sustainable Development, 2024.
H. Lefebvre, The Production of Space, Oxford: Blackwell, 1991.
M. Simanjuntak, “Identitas Sosial dan Perubahan Fungsi Ruang di Kawasan Sungai Deli,” Jurnal Sosial dan Ruang, vol. 5, no. 2, 2023.
B. Lubis dan S. Ramadhan, “Urbanisasi dan Permukiman Informal di Medan: Studi Kasus Tepian Sungai,” Jurnal Perencanaan Kota, vol. 8, no. 1, 2024.
C. Nuraini, M. Andriana, and D. Wisdianti, “Penyuluhan dan Pengenalan Arsitektur dan Lanskap di Dunia pada Siswa-Siswi SMA Negeri 1 Pancur Batu,” Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat Digital, vol. 3, tidak. 4, 2024. [On line]. Tersedia: https://scholar.google.co.id/itations?view_op=view_c
D. N. Putra, “Ekonomi Informal dan Struktur Sosial Masyarakat Sungai,” Jurnal Ilmu Sosial dan Pembangunan, vol. 12, no. 1, 2023.
J. Habermas, Theory of Communicative Action, Boston: Beacon Press, 1987.
C. T. Setiawan dan O. C. Dewi, “Urban Well-Being and Community Development: Investigating the Relationship Between Built Environments, Social Networks, and Quality of Life,” West Science Social and Humanities Studies, vol. 1, no. 2, 2023.
G. David, “SWOT Analysis: A Tool for Strategic Planning,” Journal of Urban Studies and Planning, vol. 45, no. 3, 2022.
D. Apriliani dan O. C. Dewi, “A Study of Cisadane Riverside on Riverbank Development Towards Urban Sustainability,” IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth and Environmental Science, 2023.
E. Suharto, Pembangunan Berbasis Komunitas: Konsep dan Strategi Pemberdayaan, Bandung: Alfabeta, 2021.
T. N. Siregar, “Pendekatan SWOT dalam Revitalisasi Kawasan Sungai Perkotaan,” Jurnal MPWK Nasional, UNPAB, vol. 7, no. 1, 2024.
R. Hidayat, “Perubahan Struktur Sosial dalam Ruang Perkotaan,” Jurnal Sosiologi Kota, vol. 8, no. 2, 2023.
C. Nuraini, “Dinamika Sosial Masyarakat Perkotaan di Kawasan Sungai Deli,” Jurnal Pembangunan Wilayah UNPAB, vol. 7, no. 1, 2024.
F. Milanie, “Peran Ruang Publik dalam Meningkatkan Interaksi Sosial Masyarakat Perkotaan,” Jurnal Tata Kota dan Lingkungan, vol. 6, no. 2, 2023.
A. Sugiarto, “Adaptasi Fisik dan Sosial Masyarakat di Kawasan Padat Kota Medan,” Jurnal Infrastruktur Wilayah, vol. 5, no. 3, 2022.
Abdiyanto, “Kohesi Sosial dan Transformasi Ruang Komunal di Lingkungan Urban,” Jurnal Perencanaan Kota dan Daerah, vol. 4, no. 1, 2023.
S. Purnomo, “Pendekatan Komunitas dalam Revitalisasi Kawasan Sungai,” Jurnal Ekologi Perkotaan Nasional, vol. 9, no. 1, 2024.
L. Zhang, “Waterfront Urban Renewal and Social Integration: A Comparative Study,” Urban Studies International, vol. 12, no. 4, 2023.
J. Rahman, “Creative Economy and Urban Social Resilience,” International Journal of Urban Planning, vol. 10, no. 3, 2024.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Henry Paulus Lumbangaol, Cut Nuraini
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
International Conference On Islamic Community Studies, Education and Science, its website, and the articles published therein are licensed under a 
