IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REVITALISATION OF THE SUKALILA RIVERBANK AS A GREEN OPEN SPACE IN THE CITY OF CIREBON

Abstract

The revitalisation of riverbanks is one of the government’s initiatives to 
redevelop urban areas whilst restoring the ecological functions of rivers that 
have long suffered degradation due to uses that contravene spatial planning 
regulations. The Sukalila riverbank in Cirebon City is one such area facing 
these issues, where settlements have been built on the riverbank, thereby 
disrupting environmental functions and causing various problems, such as 
flooding, pollution, and a decline in environmental quality. These 
conditions have prompted the local government to carry out enforcement 
and revitalisation of the riverbank area, transforming it into a better
organised and sustainable green open space (RTH). This study aims to 
analyse the implementation of the Sukalila Riverbank revitalisation policy 
and to identify the factors hindering its implementation. The research 
method employed is a legal-empirical approach with a qualitative 
descriptive methodology, examining applicable legal provisions and factual 
conditions on the ground. Data were obtained through literature review and 
analysis of regulations pertaining to spatial planning, the environment, and 
water resource management. The research findings indicate that the 
implementation of the revitalisation of the Sukalila River banks has 

progressed through the stages of building regulation, area planning, and the 
development of green open spaces. However, its implementation has not yet 
been fully optimal as it continues to face various obstacles, such as 
community resistance, resource constraints, and a lack of coordination 
between agencies. Furthermore, the gap between legal norms and on-the
ground realities also poses a challenge in achieving area planning that 
complies with applicable regulations. Consequently, more comprehensive 
and sustainable efforts are required—from legal, social, and institutional 
perspectives—to ensure that the implementation of riverbank revitalisation 
policies proceeds effectively and delivers optimal benefits for both the 
community and the environment.