Historical Transformation of Javanese Cultural Landscapes through the Development of Alun-Alun as Public Spaces

Abstract

Javanese alun-alun represents a distinctive cultural landscape in which historical, social, political, symbolic, and public-space functions intersect. This study aims to analyze the historical transformation of Javanese cultural landscapes through the development of alun-alun as public spaces in Tangerang Regency, with particular attention to changes in spatial structure, public functions, cultural symbolism, and historical continuity. The study employs a qualitative historical-interpretive approach with a cultural landscape case-study design. Data were obtained through historical-document analysis, field observation, spatial documentation, and semi-structured interviews with relevant community and institutional actors. Data were analyzed through chronological reconstruction, thematic coding, source criticism, triangulation, and interpretive synthesis. The findings reveal that the transformation of alun-alun is characterized by structural reconfiguration, functional diversification, and selective reinterpretation of cultural meanings. Contemporary revitalization increases accessibility, recreation, social interaction, and economic activity, but may simultaneously weaken historical spatial relationships and traditional cultural functions. Nevertheless, cultural identity persists through collective memory, community practices, symbolic associations, and continuing public recognition. The study concludes that alun-alun transformation constitutes adaptive cultural negotiation rather than simple cultural displacement. Its contribution lies in positioning alun-alun as living cultural infrastructure and proposing an integrated perspective connecting morphological continuity, functional adaptation, cultural-symbolic continuity, and participatory governance within sustainable heritage management.