Co-residence as housing strategy for Betawi families: Case study of Betawi family houses in Cengkareng, West Jakarta

Abstract

Abstract The number of Betawi families, known as the native tribe of Jakarta, in the capital city is decreasing due to massive urbanization. The fierce economic competition with the resilient migrants has purged them to the suburban Jakarta. In order to live in Jakarta and close to their current job locations, transforming the inherited multi-generational family house to co-residence becomes the favorable option. This paper aims to examine the co-residence as a housing strategy of Betawi families to live in Jakarta. There are certain adjustments in determining the strategy of living together, especially with a lot of relatives. Qualitative research method with in-depth interviews and longitudinal through direct observations were delivered to investigate and discover the meticulous the process of transformations throughout the years. These Betawi families have been living the residences since the 1980s, and both have numerous core family from various generation. This type of living, co-residence, need some strategies such as expanding new spaces, shared spaces and merger-separation of the clean-dirty water and electric channel. Based on the selected two houses of Betawi families in Cengkareng, West Jakarta, this paper poses the argument that co-residence is not only the housing strategy for Betawi families to live in Jakarta but also generating extra incomes to the family as it provides rent rooms for migrants.