Potential and Challenging: Development of The Larangan Village

The village of Larangan is one of the administrative areas under the auspices of Harjamukti Subdistrict, Cirebon City. Although this area is dominated by the industrial and trade sectors, it is still important to pay attention to the welfare of the local community. The various potentials of Larangan Village show great opportunities for the development of this area, both in terms of social, economic and cultural aspects. However, a number of obstacles such as infrastructure damage and a lack of promotion of local culture are challenges that need to be overcome. Therefore, the development of it can be done by exploring the existing potential and presenting concrete solutions to these obstacles, especially in the fields of infrastructure and cultural preservation

Regional Profile and Potential

The village has an area of approximately 1.69 km2 or 197.5 hectares. In the north, the Village is bordered by Drajat Village. In the south it is bordered by Kalijaga village. To the west and east, it is bordered by Kecapi and Pegambiran. The village has a population of 16,752 people. With 8,618 women and 8,834 men. Spread across 19 RW and 116 RT.

Like any other urban village, The Larangan Village has facilities to support the lives of its residents. In the realm of health, this village has 2 facilities that can be accessed by its citizens. These health facilities are the Puskesmas Larangan Utara and Puskesmas Larangan. In addition,there is the Putera Bahagia Hospital. Indeed,the hospital is not administratively located in Kelurahan Larangan. However, geographically, Putera Bahagia Hospital is still close to Kelurahan Larangan. So, the community can access it easily.

In terms of education, the neighborhood has 7 elementary schools, 2 junior high schools, and 1 senior high school. Access to these schools is not difficult. Some schools are right on the roadside and are passed by public transportation. The rest can still be accessed by online motorcycle taxis, motorbikes, and cars.

Apart from schools and health, the potential for tourism in Larangan Village is quite significant. Street Ciremai Raya has long been a location for street food. Every afternoon the street will be crowded with street vendors. In addition, the Larangan Village is already lined with cafés. There are also many hotels and restaurants in Larangan Village. This is the main attraction of Larangan Village, which attracts travelers.

Challenges in the Development of the Village of Larangan

Despite its easy access to education and health, the neighborhood still faces challenges in its development. The village still needs to improve its road infrastructure. In some areas, the roads traveled by residents are damaged. Some even have holes in the middle of the road. However, the mayor has inspected the Larangan Village several times. This is still not enough because the repair only stops when patching the road without further maintenance, and ensuring that the road can last for several years.

In addition to road damage, flooding is a challenge to the development of Larangan Village. During the rainy season, several areas in Larangan Village are subject to annual flooding, such as Ciremai Raya street, Gunung Rinjani street, and parts of Gunung Lawu street. In addition, Larangan Village is crossed by two rivers. This condition worsens the situation. This will significantly disrupt the activities of residents, especially traders, because it is not uncommon for floods to paralyze their activities.

The lack of local cultural activities is one of the challenges facing Larangan Village. Popular culture has indeed become part of Larangan Village. However, the neighborhood has almost lost track of traditional culture. It isn’t easy to find cultural activists in this area.

Development Efforts of Larangan Village

In the infrastructure sector, the development of Larangan Village can begin with regular road repairs to support the mobility of residents and prevent accidents due to damaged road conditions. In addition, the construction of adequate waterways and greening in areas prone to inundation are needed as preventive measures in the face of annual floods that often disrupt community activities. Good infrastructure not only supports the smooth running of economic and social activities but also creates a healthier and more comfortable environment for residents.

Meanwhile, in the cultural field, development can be done through education and community involvement in traditional activities. Incorporating material about local culture into teaching and learning activities in schools will help instill local wisdom values early on in the younger generation. Cultural preservation is not only a form of respect for history and regional identity. Still, it can also be a special attraction for outsiders who want to get to know the rich culture of Cirebon.

In closing, it is essential to emphasize that local potential is a significant force in driving the development of an area, including Larangan Village. The development of this area depends not only on the industrial and trade sectors, but also on efforts to maintain and utilize its local wisdom. Cultural preservation and infrastructure improvement should go hand in hand, complementing each other to create a prosperous and sustainable environment. With the proper steps and active participation from all elements of society, Larangan Village has the potential to become an example of an area that can develop socially and economically without ignoring its cultural identity.

Author: Bhiempy Karishma Nurhakim

Lecturer: Mrs. Juwintan, S.S., M.Hum