Water Dynamics in the Urbanizing Periphery of the Semarang Metropolitan Area:

The Case of the Bawen Area

Abstract

Urbanization in metropolitan peripheries is reshaping land-use patterns and intensifying competition over shared water resources. In the Bawen District of the Semarang Metropolitan Area, the rapid growth of water-intensive industrial activities together with expanding residential demand has accelerated pressure on local water systems. Although agriculture continues to play a crucial role in sustaining local food supplies, it faces increasingly unequal access to water as industrial extraction and urban consumption remain prioritized. This study examines peri-urban water management dynamics by synthesizing relevant literature and incorporating empirical findings from field observations and interviews with key stakeholders. Results indicate persistent inequities in water allocation, particularly during the dry season, when agricultural users experience the most substantial reductions. Industrial water extraction remains stable year-round through deep groundwater pumping and contracted surface water access, whereas household supply exhibits seasonal variability. Interview data highlight governance fragmentation, weak enforcement of rotational irrigation rules, and inadequate infrastructure, all of which exacerbate tensions among sectors. The study concludes that integrated and community-based water management mechanisms are essential to balancing industrial expansion with agricultural sustainability and residential water security, thereby supporting equitable development within rapidly urbanizing metropolitan peripheries.