Ayu Mardalena

The Effect Of Urbanization On Flood Mitigation and Food Security: A Comparative Study Of Rome (Italy) and Semarang (Indonesia)

Introduction

The effect of urbanization on flood mitigation and food security: a comparative study of rome (italy) and semarang (indonesia). Urbanization impacts flood mitigation & food security in Rome & Semarang. Reveals reduced agriculture, increased floods, & food insecurity, urging sustainable urban spatial policy.

Abstract

The rapid acceleration of urbanization, without proper urban spatial policy planning, can have a significant impact on flood mitigation and regional food security, particularly in the urban areas of Rome and Semarang. This study aims to investigate, review, and compare the influence of land use change on food security and flood mitigation in Rome, Italy, and Semarang, Indonesia. The methods used include a literature review and a comparative analysis of scientific publications, reports, and findings from journals published between 2020 and 2023. The findings revealed that urbanization in Rome had a twofold negative effect compared to forest expansion. Moreover, the decrease in natural land in Rome reduced 249,838 tons in productive agricultural areas. On the other hand, urbanization in Semarang resulted in an increase in built-up land area and a decrease in land elevation, leading to a rise in the number of flood events from 23 in 2020 to 63 in 2022. Additionally, urbanization also led to a decrease in agricultural land, reduced water availability for agriculture, and raised the cost of food transportation due to increased distances between production areas and urban centers. Urbanization in both cities poses a threat to the safety of urban residents, particularly through the heightened risk of urban flooding and decreased food security. It is crucial for the government to take charge and establish sustainable regional development by formulating spatial policies for urban areas.

Review

This paper, titled 'The Effect Of Urbanization On Flood Mitigation and Food Security: A Comparative Study Of Rome (Italy) and Semarang (Indonesia),' addresses a highly relevant and pressing global issue: the multifaceted impacts of rapid urbanization on environmental resilience and human well-being. By focusing on two distinct urban environments—the historically rich city of Rome and the rapidly developing Semarang—the study aims to provide a comparative understanding of how unmanaged urban growth detrimentally affects flood mitigation strategies and regional food security. The chosen comparative approach is particularly commendable, offering insights into how similar challenges manifest in different socio-economic and geographical contexts. The methodology outlined involves a literature review and comparative analysis of scientific publications, reports, and journal findings from 2020-2023. The study presents distinct, yet interconnected, findings for both cities. In Rome, urbanization is reported to have a 'twofold negative effect compared to forest expansion,' significantly reducing productive agricultural areas by an estimated 249,838 tons. For Semarang, the consequences are stark, with urbanization linked to increased built-up land, decreased land elevation, and a notable rise in flood events from 23 in 2020 to 63 in 2022. Furthermore, Semarang experiences reduced agricultural land, diminished water availability, and increased food transportation costs. Collectively, these findings underscore a common threat of heightened urban flooding and compromised food security in both locations. While the abstract effectively highlights critical issues and offers compelling quantitative data points, a full manuscript would benefit from a more detailed elaboration of how these specific numerical findings (e.g., the 249,838 tons reduction or the exact increase in flood events) were derived solely from a literature review. Clarification on the analytical framework used to synthesize and quantify such diverse information would strengthen the methodological rigor. Nevertheless, the study's conclusion regarding the necessity for governmental intervention and the establishment of sustainable regional development through effective spatial policies is well-founded and critically important. The comparative perspective offers valuable lessons for policymakers grappling with the dual challenges of urbanization and climate change, emphasizing the urgent need for integrated urban planning that prioritizes both environmental resilience and the fundamental right to food security.

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