Can Vertical Housing Mitigate Urban Sprawl? Insights From Metropolitan Jakarta

Abstract

The transformation of Jakarta from a colonial administrative center into a modern megacity has pushed residential development outward, drove rapid conversion of green space and compounding urban problems such as traffic congestion and inefficient land use. This study evaluates vertical housing as a strategic response to mitigate urban sprawl and identifies factors influencing public interest in high-rise living across Greater Jakarta. Employing a qualitative grounded theory approach with case studies, data were collected via questionnaires distributed to Generation X, Y, and Z respondents between December 2025 and January 2026, supplemented by literature review and spatial observation using Jakarta Satu and other platforms. Findings indicate a generally positive public disposition toward vertical housing, with 58 percent of respondents expressing interest in apartment living. Primary motivators include accessibility to economic centers, proximity to public transportation, and comprehensive internal facilities, while principal barriers comprise privacy concerns, shortages of open space, and property costs. Preference clusters are concentrated in Jakarta and Greater Tangerang, where infrastructure and accessibility are strongest. The study concludes that realizing the potential of vertical housing to curb urban sprawl depends critically on coordinated action by developers and government to deliver housing that meets the United Nations’ seven criteria for adequate housing, addressing both physical amenities and social needs to ensure equitable, sustainable high-density urban living.