DOI: https://doi.org/10.14710/ijpd.11.2.64-74

Identification of Blue Infrastructure for Sustainable Urban Development Strategy: A Case Study in the Yogyakarta Metropolitan Area

*Mohammad Isnaini Sadali orcid scopus  -  Faculty of Geography Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Indonesia
Sulthan Aflahuddin  -  Faculty of Geography, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Indonesia
Rezafani Alifa Walid  -  Faculty of Geography, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Indonesia
Agung Jauhari  -  Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands, Netherlands
Received: 24 Nov 2025; Revised: 16 Apr 2026; Accepted: 24 Apr 2026; Available online: 22 Oct 2026; Published: 22 Oct 2026.
Editor(s): Ninik Suhartini, Ph.D

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Abstract

Urbanization in the Yogyakarta Metropolitan Area has intensified land conversion and hydrological degradation, underscoring the need for sustainable spatial strategies. This study identifies and analyses blue infrastructure as a nature-based solution to support ecological resilience and urban sustainability. Using a quantitative spatial approach, this research integrates secondary geospatial datasets and high-resolution satellite imagery to map natural and engineered blue elements. The spatial distribution was further examined using Average Nearest Neighbor (ANN) and Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) analyses to assess clustering patterns and concentration zones. The results reveal a total blue infrastructure area of 20,763.70 hectares, dominated by river systems (63.67%) and irrigation networks (34.55%). Spatially, blue infrastructures exhibit a clustered pattern concentrated in the northern and central parts of the metropolitan area, strongly influenced by geomorphological and watershed characteristics. Functionally, these systems contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6 and 11 by enhancing water-related ecosystem services, flood mitigation, and public open-space provision. The findings emphasize the strategic importance of integrating blue infrastructure into spatial planning instruments such as the RTRW and RDTR to strengthen Yogyakarta’s resilience as a Sponge City. This integration is essential for realizing adaptive and sustainable urban development in Indonesia’s rapidly growing metropolitan regions.

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Keywords: Blue Infrastructure; Sustainability Development; Spatial Analysis; Yogyakarta Metropolitan Area.

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