An analysis of coastal land conflict in the North of Jakarta coastal area: (A general algebraic modelling system approach) Rudianto & Andi Gusti Tantu Received: 2 August 2013 /Accepted: 15 October 2013 # Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013 Abstract This research was motivated by a never-ending questions, which arose in coastal land use conflict especially in Indonesian and generally in developing countries. Policy makers and others stakeholders both in central and local governments concerned with resolution conflict occurred in coastal areas. Squatters, who live and built houses in illegal land, were forced to move out to theirs origin home lands. Such conflicts occurred again and again without clear solution among parties involved. Such conflict shows that both squatters and land owners have no benefits in their conflict. Such condition could decrease their economic productivity. As a consequence the economic performance of coastal area become declining. The aim of this research is to analyse coastal land use conflict between squatters and land owners. It includes to formulate conflict resolution based on land optimation. To solve the coastal land conflicts, an economics approach is needed with assumption that conflict is a concept. As a concept, conflict could be measured by using economic variables called benefits and costs to be taken into account. GAMS (General Algebraic Modelling System) is a computer language which permit formulating economic equilibrium models as systems of nonlinear equations. In this research GAMS was used to calculate the value of land rents. The results of GAMS operation produces that the coastal land area should be maintained, expanded and added of Squatters. Keyword General Algebraic Modelling System (GAMS) . Coastal land conflict analysis . Resolution conflict Introduction Coasts are indeed unique places, especially in places which combine freshwater and salt water in coastal estuaries. Coasts create some of the most productive and richest habitat on earth. Furthermore, most coasts are assets of incalculable value, and they are important part of the national heritage and have a very real economic value. Coastal lands are very valuable and greatly attractive in many other ways. They are used for port and harbor facilities, settlements, as well as recreation. All of which capture the large monetary benefits associated with waterborne commerce. Coastal lands are appropriate locations for industrial processes which require water cooling, such as power generation plants. Squatters have also built their houses on the land owned by the state in swamp areas. As a result, conflicts among users mainly related with competition for ocean or coastal space are common (Choudury and Junaid 2000). In fact, competition over coastal lands are occured in north Jakarta. The municipalities of north Jakarta cover 7,133.51 km 2 which consists of 6,994.4 km 2 of vast ocean and only 154.11 km 2 of land areas (The North Jakarta Local Government 2001). In addition, land owners have no clear land boundaries in the coastal area, and the type of land use conflict is varied. Sjafi (2008) reported that one type of coastal land use conflict concerns conflict over ownership involving land owners with illegal settlers. Therefore, research is needed to find out how the use of coastal land could be managed properly. In order to avoid unclear and change land use function, it is necessary to use land more efficient. In addition, land use conflict occurs because it is assumed that there is not enough land to all of the multipurpose activities which people want to do on the land. However, Conning et al. (2001) proposed that coastal land conflict could be reduced by maximizing the use of coastal land. Rudianto Faculty of Fishery and Marine Science, University of Brawijaya, Malang 65145, Indonesia e-mail: rudiantoita@gmail.com A. G. Tantu (*) Fishery Departement, Faculty of Agriculture, 45 University of Makassar, Makassar 90145, Indonesia e-mail: agustitantu@yahoo.com J Coast Conserv DOI 10.1007/s11852-013-0298-4