Rembang, June 21–25, 2026 — Students from the Social/Cultural specialization of the Master of Environmental Science Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) conducted their 2026 Field Course (Kuliah Kerja Lapangan/KKL) in Rembang and Lasem Subdistricts, Rembang Regency, Central Java, under the supervision of Dr. Noorhadi Rahardjo, M.S. The study focused on settlement environmental quality and socioeconomic conditions—two closely interconnected dimensions that are particularly relevant in coastal urban areas such as Rembang and Lasem, yet are rarely examined simultaneously. Uneven development, unequal access to public facilities, rapid land-use conversion, and environmental degradation provided the context for the study, prompting the research team to explore a central question: Does an individual’s socioeconomic status significantly influence the quality of the residential environment in which they live?
The research adopted a multi-stage approach integrating spatial analysis with social surveys. The first stage involved satellite image interpretation to classify residential areas into settlement blocks using a photomorphic method, which evaluates the visual uniformity of housing patterns from satellite imagery. A total of 209 settlement blocks were identified across the two subdistricts, comprising 86 blocks with high uniformity (>60%), 45 blocks with moderate uniformity (30–60%), and 78 blocks with low uniformity (<30%). From this population, 22 blocks were selected as research samples using a proportional sampling approach representing approximately 10% of the total blocks.
Recognizing that satellite imagery cannot adequately capture important indicators such as building structural integrity, floor area adequacy, access to clean drinking water, sanitation facilities, drainage systems, and solid waste management, the team conducted field validation and terrestrial surveys to complement the spatial analysis. Simultaneously, questionnaires were distributed to 439 respondents, including 292 respondents from 12 settlement blocks in Rembang Subdistrict and 147 respondents from 10 settlement blocks in Lasem Subdistrict. Respondents were selected using Stratified Random Sampling based on settlement block categories, achieving a 100% response rate in both study areas.
The preliminary assessment of settlement environmental quality revealed similar patterns in both subdistricts, with most settlement blocks classified as having moderate environmental quality. In Rembang Subdistrict, 50% of the 12 sampled blocks fell into the moderate category, while 25% were classified as good and 25% as poor. In Lasem Subdistrict, the distribution was even more concentrated in the moderate category, accounting for 58.33% of the 10 sampled blocks, followed by 16.67% categorized as good and 8.33% as poor. These findings indicate that, overall, residential environments remain reasonably livable. However, several settlement blocks continue to face significant challenges, particularly the lack of adequate waste collection and treatment facilities as well as limited Green Open Spaces (GOS). These issues extend beyond aesthetic concerns, as they directly affect environmental health and the well-being of local communities.
Following the completion of field data collection, the research team is currently processing the data to produce the final Settlement Environmental Quality Map and to examine the relationship between socioeconomic status and settlement environmental quality using descriptive quantitative analysis and statistical testing. The study seeks to determine whether a significant correlation exists between these two variables—a question that is not only academically relevant but also highly important for future spatial planning and housing policy development in Rembang Regency.
The findings are expected to provide a robust scientific foundation for local governments in designing more targeted settlement improvement programs based on the actual socioeconomic conditions of local communities.
This field course contributes to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty) by improving understanding of socioeconomic vulnerability, SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) through the identification of disparities in access to quality residential environments, and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by supporting the development of inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable human settlements.
Author: Selamita