Commuter Urbanization and the Socio-Spatial Transformation of Urban Society: A Study in Baranangsiang Urban Village, Bogor City

Abstract

This study aims to analyze commuter urbanization and the socio-spatial transformation of the community in Baranangsiang Village, Bogor City. A descriptive qualitative approach was employed, utilizing direct observation and interviews. Observations focused on traffic activity along commuter routes and changes in the function of residential properties in the Ciheuleut neighborhood, specifically along Jalan Pakuan. Informal interviews were conducted with a local neighborhood unit (RT) head and long-term residents who operate food stalls. The findings reveal two prominent changes. First, commuter mobility during peak hours contributes to traffic congestion, exacerbated by public minibuses and ride-hailing motorcycle taxis stopping on the roadside to pick up passengers. Second, the demand for housing among workers and students has driven the conversion of private homes into rental rooms and boarding houses; at least eight such properties were identified. These shifts have necessitated social and economic adjustments: the neighborhood leadership has tightened mandatory reporting requirements for new occupants, while local residents have gained business opportunities by catering to the consumption needs of these tenants and commuters. Viewed through the lens of structural functionalism, this phenomenon illustrates how elements of the community adapt to the pressures of mobility and spatial change. However, the resulting traffic congestion and high-density settlement patterns highlight governance issues that still require attention. This study underscores that commuter urbanization presents both economic opportunities and socio-spatial challenges for the local community.