Identifying the Potential of Transit Oriented Development in Surakarta City

Abstract

Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is an urban development apporach that integrates land use and public transport to promote compact, accessible, and sustainable cities. In Indonesia, TOD has been widely discussed in metropolitan areas such as Jakarta and Bandung, but its implementation in medium-sized cities remains underexplored. Surakarta, a secondary city in Central Java, has incorporated TOD principles into its Spatial Plan (RTRW 2021-2041), positioning the Batik Solo Trans (BST) corridor as the backbone of urban mobility. However, the potential transit nodes that can serve as foundation for TOD development have not been systematically identified. This study aims to identify potential TOD nodes in Surakarta City based on spatial analysis of the BST corridor. Using Geographic Information System (GIS) methods, the research applies an 800-meter buffer analysis around transit stops to delineate TOD catchment areas, followed by overlay with land-use data, transportation networks, and strategic urban function. The analysis focuses on ten primary nodes along the BST corridor that represent both central and peri-urban contexts. The results reveal that central nodes such as Solo Balapan and Purwosari have the highest potential due to their strategic location, multimodal integration, and proximity to urban activity centers. In contrast, peri-urban nodes such as Kartasura and Palur exhibit weaker connectivity but provide opportunities for future expansion. This study contributes an initial spatial framework for assessing TOD readiness in medium-sized Indonesian cities, offering empirical evidence to support future TOD oriented planning and policy in Surakarta.