Ecological Communication Approach in Sustainable Coastal Development: A Case Study of Minapolitan in Indonesia

Coastal development is complex, fragmented, dynamic and involves many parties: Corporate management and effective communication is essential to overcome these challenges. Coastal development in Indonesia threatened by overfishing, mangrove and marine debris degradation that undermines a sustainable economy. Five sub-districts (Sanden, Sedayu, Srandakan, Pandak, and Kretek) in the Special Region of Yogyakarta Province that represent the development of coastal areas have been selected as objects in this study. This study aimed to examine and outline coastal development in those sub-districts based on Law Number 04 of 2011 concerning Spatial Planning, Minapolitan, which has the potential to propose a concept of sustainable coastal development. A focus group discussion was conducted with 100 selected participants from five sub-districts, including the government, business actors, and the community. The FGD data obtained was then thematically analyzed in qualitative form by mapping the three main elements of Niklas Luhman’s ecological communication that focus on managing environmental problems awareness, mitigating, and calling for noises related environmental issues around them. These findings show that people were aware and able to recognize the potential of their environment, the impact of risks and threats of environmental damage can be minimized, the production of messages, and the selection of appropriate communication media for exchanging information, knowledge, and stakeholders’ interest. The design of the Minapolitan area that supports sustainable development has also been made in this study. The Minapolitan program has the potential to give birth to a blue economy business model with Penta helix collaboration that does not only stop at utilizing the sea for economic prosperity but also includes how to manage marine products from upstream to downstream in a sustainable manner or circular economy.