Green Governance in Urban Spatial Planning: Managing River Buffer Zones for Sustainable Cities in Bali

Abstract

Urban river buffer zones in Bali are increasingly exposed to pressures generated by urbanization, tourism development, land-use conversion, and competing demands for urban space. Although spatial planning regulation formalluu recognize the ecological importance of river buffer zones, their implementation remains constrained by regulatory implementation gaps, fragmented planning instruments, weak spatial monitoring, limited enforcement, and competing economic and environmental interests. This study examines green governance in urban spatial planning for river buffer zone management in Bali, focusing on Denpasar City as an urban contect where development pressure intersects with strong local institutions and cultural values. The study employs a qualitative approach through policy and document analysis, stakeholder he study employs a qualitative approach through policy and document analysis, stakeholder analysis, and thematic analysis. The findings indicate that river buffer zone governance in Denpasar is characterized by five interrelated challenges: fragmented spatial and sectoral planning, weak enforcement of river setback regulations, limited integration of spatial monitoring systems, institutional fragmentation, and insufficient translation of local ecological values into operational governance mechanisms. At the same time, Desa Adat, Subak, Pekaseh, Banjar, and river care communities constitute important governance resources through social legitimacy, ecological knowledge, social control, and collective action. The study argues that green governance should move beyond government-centered spatial regulation toward an integrated governance framework connecting ecological planning, institutional coordination, spatial monitoring, regulatory enforcement, community participation, and local ecological knowledge. Based on these findings, the study proposes a Green Spatial Governance framework for urban river buffer zone management that integrates formal spatial planning with Balinese local institutions and the principles of Tri Hita Karana. The study contributes to the literature by conceptualizing river buffer zones as strategic ecological spaces within urban spatial governance and by demonstrating how local institutions can complement formal planning institutions in pursuing sustainable urban development in Bali.