Spatio-temporal changes in agricultural land and rural–urban transitions in Greater Jakarta, Indonesia

Since the 1980s, the Jakarta Metropolitan Area has experienced rapid urbanization, impacting the dynamics of built-up areas and agricultural land. This paper aims to understand the dynamics of rural–urban transition concerning spatial land cover in the last 20 years. The data was obtained from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Indonesia, and land system maps. The change in built-up land from 2000 to 2011 showed an increasing trend of converting second-class paddy fields. This situation indicates rapid urbanization is taking place. Meanwhile, the second phase (2011–2019) shows a different pattern of massive change in peri-urban areas due to rural forces and increasingly limited space in the city center, allowing only low-intensity expansion. Peri-urbanization does not necessarily involve large-scale conversion of agricultural land but a shift in regional growth that extends into what used to be rural areas. Retaining more agricultural land around Greater Jakarta provides the dual benefits of providing agricultural products for the city as well as maintaining the region’s ecosystem.