Community-based mangrove ecotourism governance at cross-roads: Applying policy arrangement analysis in Balikpapan, Indonesia
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Mangrove ecosystems provide essential services that support community well-being, yet they face increasing pressures from urbanisation and land conversion in developing countries, where policy implementation is often criticized for limited local inclusion. To examine gaps between national policy intentions and community perspective, this study conducts empirical analysis in Balikpapan, Indonesia, a strategic area serving as a gateway to the new capital. Using a mixed-methods case study design, we assess alignment between formal policy arrangements for mangrove ecotourism and community perspective through analysis of national, provincial, and city-level policy documents, 28 stakeholder interviews, and 100 community surveys across five coastal sites. Data were examined using the Policy Arrangement Approach (PAA), encompassing four dimensions of discourses, actors, rules, and resources, complemented by Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to quantify community activity preferences. We applied the triangulation method and evaluated against five principles in community-based ecotourism (CBET): environmental conservation, cultural preservation, community participation, economic benefits, and empowerment. Findings reveal substantial disconnects: 80% of residents reported receiving no economic benefits; the policy's eco-cultural narrative lacked grounding in local cultural practices; governance preferences were fragmented (39% favouring local government and 37% favouring local communities); and conservation rules restrict the infrastructure development required by local tourism objectives. These misalignments indicate that rigid, uniform policy arrangements remain ineffective. Policy implications include establishing transparent mechanisms for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fund management, differentiating participation models according to community capacity, and resolving regulatory inconsistencies across agencies to reduce operational bottlenecks.
Source: Ocean & Coastal Management
Authors: Rizky Arif Nugroho, Ryo Kohsaka
Institution: The University of Tokyo
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,350
Awards: G1641614687, G2735664437, G324082524, 人口縮退・DX化時代における都市緑地の面積推定手法の選択：差分補正手法構築と実装, G5676362458, Emerging Food Culture in Era of Anthropocene: Multi-Generational Social Learning and Discourse of Quality and Continuity, G6311773263, Development of a Restructured Urban Model Based on Green Infrastructure DX, Are hertigate designations by the UN effective for biodiversity conservation at local level? Challenges for multi-scale colloboration and analysis of strategy by municipalities, G7425902821, G853897444
OpenAlex ID: W7203618260