Journal of Environmental and Development Studies Vol.05, No.

02 (2024) 061–072

Journal of Environmental and Development

Studies
Journal homepage: https://talenta.usu.ac.id/jeds

Management Strategy for Public Green Open Spaces in Medan City Using SWOT
Analysis

Surya Al Fatah1 , T. Alief Aththorick1,2* , Rahmawaty1,3 , Muhammad Kali

Hamzah1,4*
1
Natural Resources and Environment Management Study Program, Postgraduate School, Universitas Sumatera
Utara, Medan, 20155, Indonesia
1,2*
Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan,
20155, Indonesia
1,3*
Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, 20155, Indonesia
1,4*
Badan Perencanaan Pembangunan Daerah (BAPPEDA) - Medan City Planning and Development Department,
Jalan Kapten Maulana Lubis No.1 Medan, 20122, Indonesia
*
Corresponding Author: [email protected]

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT

Article history: Medan City, the third-largest city in Indonesia, faces significant challenges in
Received 24-07-2024 managing its public green open spaces (RTH) due to high population density,
Revised 26-08-2024 rapid urbanization, and insufficient green space, which falls far short of the
Accepted 09-09-2024 30% mandated by law. This research assesses the management of public green
Available online 11-09-2024
spaces in Medan through a SWOT analysis, revealing internal strengths such
as a Regional Spatial Plan and government commitment, alongside
E-ISSN: 2745-4592 weaknesses like suboptimal management, lack of coordination between
How to cite: agencies, and inadequate regulations. External factors, including
Surya Al Fatah, T. Alief Aththorick, opportunities from NGO funding and potential land acquisition, contrast with
Rahmawaty, & Muhammad Kali threats like rapid population growth and misuse of green spaces. Through
Hamzah. Management Strategy for data collection methods, including focus group discussions, questionnaires,
Public Green Open Spaces in Medan and interviews with key stakeholders, the research identified key areas for
City Using SWOT Analysis. improvement in green space management. Strategic recommendations include
International Journal of
strengthening policies, increasing public awareness, optimizing cross-sector
Envrionmental and Development
Studies 2024. 5(2):61-72 collaboration, and promoting sustainable urban planning. Additionally,
leveraging green spaces for economic growth through multifunctional uses
can enhance their value to the community. This study concludes that public
green open spaces in Medan City can contribute significantly to sustainable
urban development and environmental balance if managed more effectively,
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons
Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International. with better coordination, stronger regulations, and resource allocation. The
http:// 10.32734/jeds.v5i02.18179
findings aim to provide valuable insights for urban planners and policy
makers in achieving urban sustainability goals.

Keywords: Environmental, Green City, Green Community, Population

Density

1. Introduction
Medan is the third-largest city in Indonesia, characterized by a high population density. With a population of
2,494,512 people and a total area of 28,199.47 hectares, the city's population density has led to an increase in
vehicle usage, consequently raising emissions and air pollution (Badan Pusat Statistik Medan, 2022). One
way to reduce emissions and air pollution is by providing green open spaces. To accommodate the city's
population growth and development, as well as various socio-economic and physical activities, green open
spaces are essential. These areas can take the form of long lines or regional areas and are used more freely
without buildings (Rofi et al., 2021).

Green open space is an area that is either linear or clustered, where the land use is more open, allowing for the
natural growth of plants or the intentional planting of vegetation. Green open space consists of two categories:
 Journal of Environmental and Development Studies Vol.05, No.02 (2024) 061–072 62

public green open space and private green open space. Public green open space is green open space owned and
managed by the government for public use. Private green open space is green open space designated for
specific areas such as gardens or yards owned by individuals or groups (Regulation of the Minister of Public
Works No. 5 of 2008).

Article 29, paragraph 1 of Law No. 26/2007 on Spatial Planning mandates that at least 30% of urban areas
must consist of green open spaces, with 20% allocated for public use and 10% for private use (Law Number
26 of 2007). Medan City, which comprises 21 districts with a total area of 28,199.47 hectares, is required to
have 5,639.89 hectares of public green open space. However, based on the 2023 Final Report on the
Compilation of the Environmental Quality Index for Medan City, the existing public green open space area in
Medan is only 1,897.37 hectares, resulting in a public green open space ratio of 6.93% (Medan City
Environment Agency, 2023). According to Wahyu Fahreza et al. (2022), the area of green open space that
must be met based on oxygen demand for residents, motorized vehicles, and industry in Medan City is 101.74
km² or 38% of the Medan City area. Silalahi and Harianja (2014) stated that the area of public green spaces in
Medan City is insufficient to maintain the sustainability and balance of the ecosystem. The availability of green
open spaces in Indonesia especially in Medan City falls short of the established standards (Fattah, 2008).
Hakim (2004) stated that several parties are involved in managing green areas, including the government, the
private sector, the community, and the media.

Research by Pratama et al., 2022 on public green open space management in Medan City identified three main
aspects: (1) Physical Aspects; Green open spaces are well organized and equipped with facilities, but the
distribution is uneven, resulting in inconsistent quality and facilities. (2) Functional Aspect; Lack of counseling
and information to the community on the maintenance of green open spaces results in suboptimal management.
(3) Managerial Aspects; Despite funding from the private sector and community levies as well as regulations
protecting green open spaces, government coordination and community awareness are low. Many green open
spaces are not protected by regulations, especially when they are located in private areas or not yet detected as
green open spaces. Another issue is technical implementation of management is not maximized, with limited
maintenance funds.

This research analyses the management of public green open space in Medan City in terms of its adequacy and
distribution, its function, and also the coordination of its management among the agencies responsible for it.
This research also aims to provide suggestions on public green open space management strategies in Medan
City for more effective planning, decision-making and management.
 Journal of Environmental and Development Studies Vol.05, No.02 (2024) 061–072 63

2. Methods
2.1 Time and Research Location
This research was conducted in Medan City, North Sumatra Province, from April 2023 to October 2023. The
activity location map can be seen in Figure 1.

Figure. 1. Map of Medan City

2.2 Data Collection
In this research, the method used is with a focal point on public green space management strategies in Medan
City. The determination of the public green open space management strategy in Medan City is carried out
using a SWOT analysis.

2.2.1. Focus Group Discussion (FGD)

To gather information about public green open spaces in Medan City, a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was
held on August 15, 2023 in Medan City with four key informants, including: 1) Representative from the Medan
City Planning and Development Department, 2) Representative from the Medan City Environmental
Department, 3) Representative from the Medan City Water Resources, Construction, and Public Works
Department, and 4) Representative from the Medan City Housing, Settlements, and Spatial Planning
Department. These stakeholders were selected as the research subjects because they are responsible for
managing the public green open spaces in Medan City.

In this discussion, key informants identify and agree on what are the strengths and weaknesses in the
management of public green open spaces in Medan City that have been carried out by the Medan City
Government in physical aspects, functional aspects, and managerial aspects that will be included in the internal
factors. As well as things that become opportunities and weaknesses that will be included in external factors.
Brainstorming to present ideas based on experience is the method used to fill in information for each SWOT
variable.
 Journal of Environmental and Development Studies Vol.05, No.02 (2024) 061–072 64

Figure. 2. Documentation of Focus Group Discussion

2.2.2. Questionnaire
To determine internal and external factors, questionnaires were distributed to key informants. The
questionnaire serves as a tool to inventory different perspectives and opinions on the contents of each SWOT
element. The answer to the question used in SWOT analysis is a Likert scale score as follows; 1 for strongly
disagree, score 2 for disagree, score 3 for agree, and score 4 for strongly agree. The focus or object of this
research is the following organizations: (1) Medan City Environmental Agency; (2) Medan City Department
of Housing, Settlement Areas, Public Works, and Spatial Planning; (3) Medan City Water Resources, Public
Roads, and Construction Department; and (4) Medan City Regional Planning and Development Agency.
Questionnaires were distributed to key informants representing each of these agencies. These organizations
were selected as the research subjects because they are responsible for managing the public green open spaces
in Medan City.

2.2.3. In-Depth Interview

In this research, semi-structured in-depth interviews were also conducted. Semi-structured interviews combine
structured and unstructured interviews, positioned in the middle. The purpose of this type of interview is to
find problems more openly, where interviewees are asked for their opinions and ideas (Sugiyono, 2015).

2.3 Data Analysis

SWOT analysis is used in the technical data analysis of this research. Strategies are created using SWOT
analysis. The model used to collect data is the External Strategic Factor Analysis Summary (EFAS) matrix and
the Internal Strategic Factor Analysis Summary (IFAS) matrix. Strategic determining factors for development
are compiled using the SWOT matrix technique. According to Rangkuti (2009), this matrix effectively shows
how external opportunities and threats can be linked to the company's strengths and weaknesses.

After determining the internal and external factors, a SWOT diagram is created by comparing opportunities
and threats (vertical axis) with strengths and weaknesses (horizontal axis). Positive signs are assigned to
strengths and opportunities, while negative signs are given to weaknesses and threats. The difference between
the values of strengths (S) and weaknesses (W) should be placed on the (X) axis, and the difference between
the values of opportunities (O) and threats (T) should be placed on the (Y) axis. Next, the coordinates (X, Y)
should be plotted so that the result of this SWOT diagram will eventually occupy one of the available cells.
The direction of space utilization strategies will depend on where the S-W and O-T values are located in the
SWOT diagram.

SWOT analysis is used to design strategies for managing public RTH, considering internal and external
influences. Identifying the internal (IFAS) and external (EFAS) strategic variables is the first step in creating a
SWOT matrix. After that, four options can be created by composing the SWOT matrix. The weighting system
will start from a scale of unimportant with a value of 0.0 to a scale of very important with a value of 1.0. The
total score is obtained by multiplying the weight and rating of each factor (Utsalina et al., 2020).
 Journal of Environmental and Development Studies Vol.05, No.02 (2024) 061–072 65

3. Result and Discussion

The management of public green open space in Medan City is responsible by 4 agencies, namely (1) Medan
City Environmental Agency; Medan City Department of Housing, Settlement Areas, Public Works, and Spatial
Planning; (3) Medan City Water Resources, Public Roads, and Construction Department; and (4) Medan City
Regional Planning and Development Agency. Each agency has a programme in the implementation of public
green open space management in Medan City. But unfortunately, the implementation of programmes from
each agency often runs independently and sometimes lacks coordination between agencies, resulting in
overlapping work implementation.

In addition, the area of public green open space in Medan City is still far from the provisions of the law which
is set at 20% for public use. he area of public green space available in each sub-district of Medan City can be
seen in the following table.

Table 1. Area of Public Green Open Space in Medan City in Each Sub-district
Public Green Open Space Percentage
No Sub-district Subdistrict Area (ha)
(ha) %
1 Medan Amplas 1,065.05 25.6 0.09
2 Medan Area 424.09 5.59 0.02
3 Medan Barat 633.50 36.46 0.13
4 Medan Baru 542.89 59.70 0.21
5 Medan Belawan 3,326.99 729.73 2.59
6 Medan Deli 1,883.10 53.68 0.19
7 Medan Denai 936.53 25.86 0.09
8 Medan Helvetia 1,305. 49 32.88 0.12
9 Medan Johor 1,672.81 63.73 0.23
10 Medan Kota 574.69 12.36 0.04
11 Medan Labuhan 3,508.71 257.52 0.91
12 Medan Maimun 302.07 29.00 0.10
13 Medan Marelan 3,003 179.63 0.64
14 Medan Perjuangan 453.65 4.54 0.02
15 Medan Petisah 528,01 20.44 0.07
16 Medan Polonia 877.18 54.41 0.19
17 Medan Selayang 1,644.75 51.34 0.18
18 Medan Sunggal 1,326.37 51.13 0.18
19 Medan Tembung 785.21 8.87 0.03
20 Medan Timur 889.40 19.90 0.07
21 Medan Tuntungan 2,515.89 175.28 0.62
Total 28,199.47 1,897.79 6.73

Based on the results obtained, it shows that of the 21 sub-districts in Medan City, the one with the smallest
public green space is Medan Perjuangan sub-district, and the one with the largest public green space is Medan
Belawan sub-district. This is in line with the results of research (Rahmawaty et al., 2023) that Medan Belawan
District experienced significant and progressive changes in mangrove forest area from 2015 - 2019 with an
increase in total area from 393.28 ha to 700.65 ha.

The Medan City Government has been trying to increase the area and distribute public green open spaces
evenly in each sub-district, but the limited land and also public awareness in helping the government for land
acquisition are still complicated.

Internal and external factors related to public green space management strategies in Medan City were identified
through interviews, questionnaires, and focus group discussions (FGD) conducted with key informants.
Subsequently, a quantitative SWOT analysis was conducted. This method was used to determine the position
of public green spaces in Medan City in the SWOT analysis quadrant. Internal and external factors were ranked
and scored (Ginting et al., 2013).
 Journal of Environmental and Development Studies Vol.05, No.02 (2024) 061–072 66

After grouping the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the public green open space management
strategy of Medan City, it will be analysed using SWOT which can produce possible alternative strategies for
managing public green open space. In addition to paying attention to the above factors, from the strengths and
weaknesses (internal factors) and opportunities and threats (external factors) in the management of public
green open spaces in the city of Medan, the Internal Factor Analysis Summary (IFAS) and External Factor
Analysis Summary (EFAS) can be compiled to determine the management strategy that will be used IFAS in
a way: (a) Determine the strategic factors that are strengths and weaknesses as well as opportunities and threats.
(b) Giving each a weight on a scale of 1 (strongly disagree), scale 2 (disagree), scale 3 (agree), and scale 4
(strongly agree). These factors are likely to have an impact on the strategic factors. (c) Calculating the rating
for each factor by giving a scale ranging from 4 (outstanding or highest) to 1 (poor or lowest). The rating value
for the opportunity factor is positive (the greater the opportunity is given a rating of +4, but if the opportunity
is small, it is given a rating of +1). The threat rating is the opposite. For example, if the threat value is very
large, the rating is 1. Conversely, if the threat value is small, the rating is 4. (d) Determine the score value by
multiplying the weight and rating. (e) Add up the weighting scores to obtain the total weighting score for IFAS.
The table of assessment and weighting of internal factors can be seen in the following Table.

Table 2. Internal Strategic Factors (IFAS)

Synthesis of Strength (S) and Weakness (W) (Internal Factors)
No Strengths Amount Weight Rating Score
1 Medan City already has a Regional Spatial Planning 16 0.076 4 0.30
Achieving the green open space area target is one of the 17 key
performance indicators for the Mayor of Medan under Regional
2 13 0.062 3 0.25
Regulation No. 7 of 2021 on the Regional Medium-Term Development
Plan for 2021-2026
3 Medan City already has a Detailed Spatial Planning 16 0.076 4 0.30

4 The Medan City Government has sufficient budget for land management 12 0.057 3 0.23
Regional Regulation No. 1 of 2022 on the spatial planning of Medan
5 15 0.071 3 0.29
City
Medan City has a 2021-2026 Regional Medium Term Development
6 10 0.048 2 0.19
Plan
The Medan City Government already has an integrated service unit for
7 16 0.076 4 0.30
green open space
The Medan City Government has provided operational facilities and
8 16 0.076 4 0.30
infrastructure
9 There is a Master Plan for green open space development 14 0.076 3 0.27
2.43
No Weakness Amount Weight Rating Score

1 There is no specific regulation for green open spaces in Medan City 12 0.057 3 0.23

The current management of green open space in Medan City is not yet
2 11 0.052 3 0.21
optimal
Public awareness is low, and people are not able to use the Detailed
3 12 0.057 3 0.23
Spatial Plan website
4 Inadequate socialization of the detailed spatial plan regulation 12 0.057 2 0.23
The capacity of human resources in preparing the Land Procurement
5 Planning Document is still weak, resulting in less effective land 11 0.052 3 0.21
acquisition
The management of green open spaces is handled by the Housing,
Settlements, Public Works, and Spatial Planning Department, and the
6 Water Resources, Highways, and Construction Department, while the 12 0.057 3 0.23
reporting process is directed to the Environmental Department, resulting
in the management principles not being fully integrated
7 The land acquisition process is complicate 12 0.057 3 0.23
1.00 1.57
0.86
 Journal of Environmental and Development Studies Vol.05, No.02 (2024) 061–072 67

Referring to Table 1, the position of Medan City's public green spaces on the X-axis is determined by adding
the total strengths and weaknesses. The strengths are valued at 2.43, while the weaknesses are at 1.57, resulting
in a difference of 0.86. This indicates that Medan City's public green spaces are positioned positively on the
X-axis. In other words, the strengths of these spaces are sufficient to outweigh the existing weaknesses.

After the scores and weights of internal factors are determined, the calculation of the weights and ranks of
external factors is also carried out in the same way as by compiling IFAS, but strengths are replaced by
opportunities, while weaknesses are replaced by threats. These calculations are presented in Table 2.

Table 3. External Strategic Factors (EFAS)

Synthesis of Opportunity (O) and Threat (T) (External Factors)
No Opportunity Amount Weight Rating Score
1 Availability of funding from NGOs for the management of green open 13 0.11 3 0.31
spaces in Medan City.
2 Numerous opportunities for land procurement 10 0.08 2 0.2
Commitment of the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial
3 14 0.12 3 0.35
Planning/National Land Agency to green open space management
The green open space in Medan City has the potential to serve as public
4 13 0.11 3 0.32
spaces for fostering creativity among the people of Medan
Green open space in Medan City opens opportunities for the growth of
5 13 0.11 3 0.32
the creative economy market
1.00 1.5
Threat Amount Weight Rating Score
1 Insufficient non-governmental funding for land acquisition 13 0.11 3 0.32
High interest from investors in Medan City Government assets, which
2 9 0.07 2 0.22
could negatively impact the existence of green open space
3 The high population growth rate in Medan City 12 0.10 3 0.30
4 Increase in waste and illegal buildings 12 0.10 3 0.30
Public green open space utilized for purposes other than intended, along 0.30
5 12 0.10 3
with the difficulty of land acquisition from the public
1.00 1.44
1 0.06

In Table 4, we can determine the position of Medan City's public green open spaces on the Y-axis by adding
the values of opportunities and threats. With opportunities valued at 1.5 and threats at 1.44, the resulting sum
is 0.06. This indicates that the public green open space of Medan City is situated on a positive point along the
Y-axis. While this suggests that there are external threats to the development of Medan City's public green
spaces, the presence of significant opportunities indicates that these threats could potentially be mitigated if
the Medan City government effectively capitalizes on the available opportunities.

Drawing from Table 3, which outlines the internal strategic factors, and Table 4, which details the external
strategic factors, it is evident that the public green open spaces in Medan City have considerable potential for
improved management. This can be achieved by harnessing existing opportunities and strengths to address the
identified weaknesses and threats. The weighting results from this analysis are visually represented in the
SWOT analysis graph for the management of Medan City's public green open space, as shown in Figure 3.
 Journal of Environmental and Development Studies Vol.05, No.02 (2024) 061–072 68

Opportunities

Y
Quadrant I

0.06
Weaknesses X Strength
0.86

Threat
Figure 3. SWOT Analysis Of Public Green Space Management In Medan City

Based on Figure 3, the management of public green open spaces in Medan City falls within Quadrant I
(positive, positive). According to Assauri (2013), Quadrant I has internal strengths with external opportunities,
focusing on growth. This position indicates that strengths and opportunities have positive values when
compared to weaknesses and threats. The Medan City Government has two strategies for the development and
management of green open spaces: 1) Implementing Medan City's vision to protect the existence of green open
spaces by collaborating with various private sector partners; and 2) Optimizing green open spaces by restoring
those that have been repurposed and increasing the number of city parks in various areas according to needs
(Lubis, 2016).

The development of public green spaces in Medan City has not yet been guided by the identification of specific
areas, locations, and distribution, nor has it been implemented according to the desired standards.
Consequently, it does not adequately support the balance and sustainability of the city's ecosystem. Ideally,
the required area should be 7,953 hectares, but based on the population, it should be 846.87 hectares (Silalahi
and Harianja, 2014).

Considering the internal and external factors of Medan City's public green spaces, a qualitative SWOT analysis
was conducted by examining the relationship between these factors. This analysis aims to identify potential
plans and actions that can be taken for the development of public green spaces in Medan City. The strategy
formulation is presented in a SWOT analysis matrix, as shown in Table 4.
 Journal of Environmental and Development Studies Vol.05, No.02 (2024) 061–072 69

Table 4. The Strategy for Managing Green Open Space in Medan City
Strength (S) Weakness (W)
1. The City of Medan already has a 1. There is no specific regulation for
Spatial Planning. green open spaces in Medan City.
Internal 2. The achievement of the green open 2. The current management of green
space area in Medan City is one of open space in Medan City is not yet
the 17 key performance indicators optimal.
for the Mayor of Medan in Regional 3. Public awareness is low, and
Regulation No. 7 of 2021 people are not able to use the
concerning the 2021-2026 Medium- Detailed Spatial Plan website.
Term Regional Development Plan. 4. Inadequate socialization of the
3. The City of Medan already has a detailed spatial plan regulation.
Detailed Spatial Plan. 5. The capacity of human resources in
4. The Medan City Government has preparing the Land Procurement
sufficient budget for land Planning Document is still weak,
management. resulting in less effective land
5. Regional Regulation No. 1 of 2022 acquisition.
concerning the Spatial Plan of 6. The management of green open
Medan City. space by the Medan City Housing,
6. Regional Regulation No. 2 of 2015 Settlement, and Spatial Planning
concerning the Spatial Plan of Office and the Medan City Water
Medan City. Resources, Public Works, and
7. Environmental Protection and Construction Office is not yet
Management Plan and Regional integrated, while the reporting
Environmental Quality Index process is to the Medan City
documents. Environmental Office.
8. The commitment of the Mayor of 7. The land acquisition process is
Medan through the Mayor's complicate.
commitment letter No. 650/9883
dated October 15, 2021.
External 9. Government involvement in
organizing tree planting events.
Opportunities (O) Strategy SO Strategy WO
1. Availability of funding from 1. Establish and preserve the function 1. Develop cooperation between
NGOs for the management of of protected areas neighbouring districts to enhance
green open spaces in Medan 2. Increase the number of green open protective functions
City. spaces with the existing budget, 2. Conduct socialization efforts to
2. Numerous opportunities for ensuring that at least 30% of the area educate the public about the
land acquisition. consists of green open space, importance of green open spaces in
3. Commitment from the including 20% public green open Medan City.
Ministry of Agrarian Affairs space and 10% private green open 3. Prohibit and enforce regulations
and Spatial space against activities that could disrupt
Planning/National Land 3. Organize integrated efforts to and damage protected areas.
Agency in the management preserve various existing protected 4. Integrate productive cultivation
of green open space. areas. activities that support the
4. The green open space in 4. Maintain areas that serve protective enhancement of public green open
Medan City has the potential functions according to their space.
to serve as public spaces for ecosystem condition. 5. Improve the performance of
fostering creativity among 5. Restore and enhance the function of relevant agencies in green open
the people of Medan. protected areas that have declined space management to enhance
5. Green open space in Medan due to development activities, to cooperation with stakeholders and
City opens opportunities for achieve and maintain the balance of increase revenue from green open
the growth of the creative the regional ecosystem. space management.
economy market.
Threats (T) Strategy ST Strategy WT
1. Insufficient non- 1. Develop a short-term management 1. Maximize the socialization of the
governmental funding for program for technical procedures in Detailed Spatial Plan regional
land acquisition. the management of public green open regulation.
2. High interest from investors spaces in Medan City. 2. Provide education and
in Medan City Government 2. Ensure that there is no overlap in the socialization on the use of the
assets, which could responsibilities for managing public Detailed Spatial Plan website for
negatively impact the green open space in Medan City. Medan City.
 Journal of Environmental and Development Studies Vol.05, No.02 (2024) 061–072 70

existence of green open 3. Coordinate among local 3. Maintain and evenly distribute
spaces. governments in the management and public green open spaces, and
3. The high rate of population technical implementation of public enhance both the quantity (area)
growth in Medan City. green open space to enhance and quality of public green open
4. Increased waste and illegal effectiveness. space.
buildings. 4. Optimize the use of public green 4. Enforce strict legal measures
5. Public green open spaces open space, improve active against those who repurpose public
being used for purposes other communication and information green open spaces, and develop
than intended, along with the sharing, and maintain and establish programs by the government to
difficulty of land acquisition the functions of public green open address these issues.
from the public. space in planning.

As seen in Table 4., SWOT analysis for the management strategy of public green open spaces in Medan City
provides a comprehensive overview of the city's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The analysis
reveals that while Medan City has key strengths such as a Regional Spatial Plan, Government commitment,
and an adequate budget, there are significant weaknesses including the lack of specific green open space
regulations, suboptimal management, and low public awareness. Externally, the city has opportunities through
Non-Government Organization (NGO) funding, land acquisition possibilities, and the potential of green open
space as a public space for creativity and economic development. However, threats such as insufficient funding
for land acquisition, rapid population growth, and misuse of green open space present challenges.

The results of this study are in line with the results of research (Siregar et al., 2024) which says that the
condition of green open space management in the city of Medan has several weaknesses, namely (1) the
involvement of the private sector is still lacking in achieving the 30% green open space target. (2) data and
information that includes data on the distribution and condition of current green spaces, existing plant and
animal species, and the use of green spaces by the community is not optimal. (3) Community participation in
the fulfilment of green open space is still minimal. (4) Implementation, Monitoring, and ongoing evaluation
of the effectiveness of green spaces are still not well underway. (5) Integration with other planning between
agencies has not been well coordinated so that there is often a miss communication.

The strategic directions proposed include leveraging the city’s strengths to preserve and expand green open
space, collaborating with neighbouring districts, enhancing public awareness, and addressing weaknesses
through better management, regulation, and enforcement. The implementation of these strategies will help
Medan City achieve its goal of sustainable urban development, environmental balance, and improved quality
of life for its residents.

To effectively manage public green open spaces in Medan City and overcome the identified challenges, the
following strategic management suggestions are proposed:
a) Strengthen Policy and Regulatory Frameworks: Develop and implement specific regulations for public
green open space management. These should include clear guidelines for land use, protection, and
maintenance of green spaces. Reinforce existing laws and ensure comprehensive enforcement to prevent
misuse and unauthorized conversion of public green open space.
b) Enhance Public Awareness and Engagement: Conduct regular outreach programs to raise awareness about
the importance of public green open space Use media, public campaigns, and educational programs to
involve the community in the preservation and utilization of green spaces. Encourage community-driven
initiatives like tree planting and public green open space maintenance.
c) Optimize Cross-Sector Collaboration: Improve coordination among government departments, NGOs,
private sectors, and local communities. Establish a multi-stakeholder task force to streamline public green
open space management, ensuring responsibilities are clearly defined and executed. Collaboration with
neighbouring districts will also help expand and protect public green open space across regional
boundaries.
d) Increase Funding and Resource Allocation: Secure additional funding from both government and private
sectors. Leverage NGO support and explore public-private partnerships to fund public green open space
projects. Allocate a higher portion of the municipal budget to the maintenance and expansion of green
spaces.
e) Promote Sustainable Urban Planning: Integrate public green open space management into the broader
urban planning and development framework. Ensure that the expansion of green spaces aligns with the
 Journal of Environmental and Development Studies Vol.05, No.02 (2024) 061–072 71

city’s growing population and urbanization. Prioritize green infrastructure in new developments and
rehabilitation projects.
f) Leverage public green open space for Economic Growth: Develop public green open space as
multifunctional spaces that contribute to the local economy. Designate areas for creative and cultural
events, eco-tourism, and outdoor activities that promote environmental education and community
engagement, while also generating economic opportunities.
g) Monitor and Evaluate Public Green Open Space Management: Implement a regular monitoring and
evaluation system to assess the effectiveness of public green open space management strategies. Use
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and other tools to track changes in RTH distribution, quality, and
usage, allowing for data-driven decision-making and timely adjustments.
h) Encourage Sustainable Practices: Integrate eco-friendly practices in public green open space management,
such as rainwater harvesting, native plant cultivation, and renewable energy sources. Promote urban
gardening and community greening projects that enhance biodiversity while offering residents
opportunities to contribute to the sustainability of their environment.

By addressing these key areas, Medan City can strengthen the management of its public green open spaces,
ensuring they are preserved, effectively utilized, and contribute to the city’s sustainable development and
improved quality of life.

4. Conclusion
The management of public green open spaces in Medan City presents both significant challenges and
opportunities. Despite the city's strengths, including a Regional Spatial Plan and government commitment, the
area of public green spaces still falls far short of the 30% mandated by Indonesian law. Current management
is hindered by the lack of specific regulations, suboptimal implementation, and low public awareness, as well
as threats like rapid population growth and the misuse of green spaces.

SWOT analysis reveals that Medan City’s public green open spaces are in a favorable position for growth,
given the external opportunities and internal strengths. However, the city must address its weaknesses,
including lack of coordination among agencies and insufficient funding for land acquisition. The opportunities
provided by NGO funding, land acquisition potential, and the economic and cultural value of green spaces
offer a path forward if managed effectively.

To improve the management of green spaces, strategic initiatives are required, including the development of
stronger regulatory frameworks, enhanced public engagement, cross-sector collaboration, and sustainable
urban planning. By leveraging green spaces as multifunctional public spaces, Medan can also foster economic
growth and improve the quality of life for its residents. With better coordination, policy enforcement, and
resource allocation, Medan City can significantly enhance its public green open spaces, contributing to
sustainable urban development and a balanced ecosystem for its growing population

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