Street Anthropology: A Study Of Social And Cultural Barriers To The Effectiveness Of Land Transportation In Makassar

Abstract

This study explores street spaces in Makassar as social arenas that serve as channels for vehicle mobility and as living spaces that accommodate social interactions, informal economic activities, and cultural expressions. Employing a qualitative approach with critical ethnography, the research is grounded in theoretical perspectives from Henri Lefebvre’s production of space, Pierre Bourdieu’s habitus, Anthony Giddens’ structuration, and James C. Scott’s concept of infrapolitics. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, field observations at 45 street locations, and analysis of local policy documents. The research sites include high-activity areas such as Pasar Butung, Tamalanrea, and Panampu. Everyday practices such as sidewalk vending, informal parking, and the use of streets for religious events reveal subtle forms of resistance to formal spatial planning, which tends to be exclusive. The findings indicate that Makassar residents have developed alternative systems of spatial management that are not legally recognised but are socially legitimised. Most of the 62 informants interviewed emphasised that the street plays a vital role in their livelihood and identity. These findings underscore the importance of understanding streets as socially produced spaces shaped through everyday practices. The study concludes that effective urban street planning must recognise and integrate the socio-cultural dimensions of urban life. This research contributes to reframing urban planning approaches toward more inclusive, equitable, and context-sensitive frameworks.