Jatiwangi, a region in Majalengka Regency, West Java, has long been known as a skilled center for clay processing. Since 1905, locals have crafted clay into roof tiles and bricks\u2014a practice that shaped both the physical landscape and the identity and livelihoods of its people. For them, life choices seemed split: become a \u201cjebor\u201d (roof tile factory) owner or work in one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the industry\u2019s heyday, Jatiwangi boasted about 600 jebor, each outfitted with 10 hydraulic presses. One press could produce over 2,000 tiles per day, operated by a team of 10 workers. On average, each jebor could generate between IDR 50 million and IDR 100 million per week in revenue, while workers earned around IDR 2.5 million per month\u2014highlighting how central this industry was to the local economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the global economic turmoil of 1998 brought a nightmare to Jatiwangi. Halted national infrastructure projects and a wave of non-performing loans caused many large jebor to collapse one after another. Although smaller jebor showed better resilience, today only a few remain, operating at a small scale\u2014marking a dramatic shift in the region\u2019s economic landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Amid residents\u2019 confusion amid changing times and the fading tile industry, a collective art initiative called Jatiwangi Art Factory (JAF) emerged in 2005 in Jatisura Village. JAF provides a “pause”\u2014a reflective space for residents through art and culture, enabling them to rethink strategies and imagine their region\u2019s future. In 2012, JAF launched the Festival of the Year of Earth, with Rampak Genteng as the main symbol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the community, Rampak Genteng is like Jatiwangi\u2019s Lebaran\u2014a meeting space for residents, artists, and stakeholders to develop ideas rooted in local identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Arief Yudi, one of JAF\u2019s founders, explains the philosophy behind their approach: \u201cArt captures and sharpens what exists in daily life. It contributes interpretation and feeling to what we do every day. Then we can be joyful and live longer because we\u2019re not stuck in routine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This statement underscores that for JAF, art is more than just entertainment\u2014it is a strategic tool for community empowerment, helping people rediscover joy and meaning in their everyday lives amid change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But it was also during this period that waves of industrialization began to enter Jatiwangi. Manufacturing industries\u2014ranging from textiles, garments, frozen food, to chemicals\u2014started to dominate. Many jebor were sold to investors and converted into factories, shifting land use. Large infrastructure projects like the Cipali Toll Road and Kertajati Airport further accelerated this industrialization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During Ridwan Kamil\u2019s administration, the New Metropolitan Economic Corridor Rebana was launched\u2014a national strategic project intended to replace the saturated Karawang\u2013Bekasi\u2013Bandung industrial zone. Jatiwangi was designated as one of 13 new industrial cities in this project. Although the flagship sectors were supposed to be agribusiness and warehousing, the reality has been dominated by textile, garment, shoe, and snack food industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Majalengka Regency government has even allocated around 900 hectares as an Industrial Zone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This economic shift in Jatiwangi is not only a change in livelihood but also a deep identity crisis. Jatiwangi\u2019s strong identity as a clay-processing hub\u2014forming the backbone of its culture and economy\u2014is being overshadowed by the influx of large-scale manufacturing industries and the Rebana Metropolitan project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This change has sparked a conflict between preserving local heritage and pursuing macro-level economic growth that often disregards social and environmental contexts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In facing this, Jatiwangi Art Factory has emerged as a catalyst for social transformation. Its emergence amid \u201ccitizens\u2019 confusion\u201d after the tile industry crisis shows how art and culture can function as crucial \u201cpauses\u201d and reflective spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
JAF uses art to \u201crestore residents\u2019 joy,\u201d proving that art is not just entertainment, but also a strategic tool for community empowerment, conflict resolution, and the creation of collective visions for the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
JAF\u2019s model can serve as an important case study on how art- and culture-based initiatives can drive community resilience and sustainable development amid pressures of modernization and industrialization\u2014offering a more holistic narrative of development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The rapid industrial growth in northern Majalengka brings serious social and ecological consequences. Statistics from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) record an increase in the workforce from 651,599 in 2021 to 709,500 in 2024. However, this growth coincides with a sharp decline in environmental quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Local residents complain that industrial waste is discharged directly into rivers, vital for irrigation and household water. This directly threatens farmers\u2019 livelihoods and public health. One resident from Ligung, North Majalengka\u2014Carly\u2014expressed concern: \u201cThis is clear, the water smells, changes color, and is warm.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She added that smelly, warm wastewater should not be released into rivers\u2014indicating a violation of waste management standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The environmental impact is reinforced by Surya Darma, an advisor to the Majalengka Watershed Care Communication Forum (FKPDAS), who stated: \u201cWe deeply regret this pollution. Waste spilling onto residents\u2019 paddy fields not only damages the land, but also rots the rice. Residents also complain of itchy skin from waste exposure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In response, company HRD Ifan claims their waste management is \u201caccording to procedures.\u201d He explained that treated wastewater is discharged, and the warm, smelly water observed may be from leakage\u2014not direct disposal. This claim reveals a possible gap between practice and compliance, often a loophole for harmful environmental practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, WALHI (Indonesian Forum for the Environment) West Java found indications of extensive zoning markup for the Priority Industrial Zone (KIP) that does not align with the official Spatial Planning (RTRW). This opens the potential for inter-regional land-use conflicts within the Rebana zone, potentially worsening environmental challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rebana\u2019s Metropolitan development action plan, regulated under West Java Governor Regulations 84\/2020 and 32\/2023, does mention \u201cWater procurement, Waste management, and Recycling\u201d as sectors. However, these documents lack detailed action plans for industrial waste management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This suggests that policy focus leans more toward economic and infrastructure aspects than comprehensive environmental impact mitigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jatiwangi reflects a classic dilemma of economic development versus environmental quality found in many developing countries. The increasing workforce\u2014an indicator of economic growth through industrialization\u2014is explicitly linked with environmental degradation. Industrial waste being dumped into rivers\u2014a vital resource for communities\u2014shows how economic growth often sacrifices environmental sustainability and local well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Without strict regulation, oversight, and effective law enforcement, industrial growth within Metropolitan Rebana will continue to impose disproportionate ecological burdens on local communities, undermining their natural and social capital. This underscores failures in integrating sustainable development principles thoroughly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, there is a stark gap between environmental policy and implementation. Despite company claims of compliance and the existence of a Rebana management body, WALHI West Java\u2019s findings on spatial planning discrepancies and residents\u2019 complaints about waste demonstrate a disconnect between policy frameworks and reality. The Rebana documents\u2019 vague details on industrial waste management further highlight this issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This gap creates a \u201cgray zone\u201d where harmful practices can continue unchecked. The situation calls for greater transparency, stronger community participation in oversight, and stricter enforcement to ensure industrial development does not irreparably damage the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Waste issues in Majalengka, including Jatiwangi, are complex. Garbage piles across Majalengka continue to grow, with Jatiwangi contributing the most household waste. This indicates the problem stems not only from industrial activity, but also increased domestic usage tied to population and economic growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Majalengka\u2019s Environmental Department (DLH) tracks the number of waste processing facilities by district, updated annually\u2014showing monitoring efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Still, waste management in Majalengka remains far from expectations outlined in Law No. 18 of 2008 on Waste Management and Government Regulation No. 81 of 2012 regarding household and similar waste management. This covers both waste reduction (like the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) and waste handling\u2014sorting, collection, transport, treatment, and final disposal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Regent of Majalengka emphasized the urgency of designing a better waste management system, starting from Jatitujuh, with clear facilities for proper waste disposal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite this, promising community initiatives exist. In Majalengka Kulon Subdistrict, there\u2019s a 3R (Reduce-Reuse-Recycle) Waste Processing Site (TPS 3R), granted by the central government to the Damar Village Community Institution (LKM). LPM Majalengka Kulon and LKM Damar initiated the \u201cExploring the Household Waste Governance Ecosystem\u201d pilot project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The program focuses on 3R education for residents and explores waste utilization at the TPS 3R. Organic waste is processed by cultivating maggots (Black Soldier Fly larvae) and making organic fertilizer, with leftover maggot media and fertilizer used as planting media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The \u201cMaggot House\u201d innovation\u2014already successful in Bandung\u2014shows immense potential in efficiently processing organic waste, reducing landfill volume, and creating economic benefits like high-quality animal feed. Such programs could align with local food resilience initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Waste banks also play a notable role. The Majalengka Environmental Department says waste banks have effectively reduced landfill volumes. One program supported by PT Pegadaian allows residents to exchange waste for gold. This initiative not only helps the environment but also bolsters local livelihoods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Still, the challenge of reducing plastic waste remains significant. A pilot in Taiwan\u2019s Ningxia Night Market aims to cut plastic waste by 20% by 2026. Similar targeted initiatives could be applied in Jatiwangi to tackle this issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n