Solid and dirty settlements

Oct 13, 2025 by pinkandtrash.com 26 views

Sanitation Issues in the City of Medan, 1909-1942: A Historical Analysis

The city of Medan, located in the province of North Sumatra, Indonesia, underwent significant transformation in the early 20th century, evolving from a small village to a modern city. This rapid growth brought about various consequences, including the threat of disease outbreaks and increasing population mortality. The primary cause of these issues was the lack of an adequate sanitation system, which was unable to cope with the rapid population growth and infrastructure development.

The Sanitation Crisis in Medan City: A Historical Context

The period between 1909 and 1942 was marked by significant challenges in maintaining sanitation in Medan City. The city government faced numerous difficulties in addressing the sanitation problems, which were exacerbated by the rapid population growth and lack of awareness about the importance of sanitation. The city's infrastructure, including its water supply, drainage, and waste management systems, was inadequate to meet the needs of the growing population.

Reasons for the Sanitation Crisis in Medan City

Several factors contributed to the sanitation crisis in Medan City during this period. The rapid development of the city, mainly due to the migration of people to work on plantations, led to the emergence of dense and dirty settlements. These settlements reduced the quality of life and increased the risk of disease. Additionally, the lack of proper waste management and environmental pollution caused by waste and household waste led to river pollution, flooding, and increased the risk of disease.

Conditions and Issues of Population Sanitation

The sanitation conditions faced by the population of Medan City during this period were dire. The city's residents lived in dense and dirty settlements, which were breeding grounds for diseases. The lack of access to clean water, proper drainage, and waste management systems made it difficult for residents to maintain a healthy living environment. The environmental pollution caused by waste and household waste further exacerbated the sanitation crisis, leading to river pollution, flooding, and increased the risk of disease.

City Government Efforts to Address Sanitation Issues

Despite the challenges, the Medan City Government made efforts to address the sanitation issues in the city. The government initiated the development of a sanitation system, which included the construction of clean water supply, river normalization, drainage development and improvement, and waste sewage system. The government also sought the involvement of private parties, including plantation companies, to contribute to the development of a better sanitation system.

Research Approach and Methodology

This study employed a historical approach to analyze the sanitation issues in Medan City during the period 1909-1942. The research methods used included:

Heuristic: Collection of historical sources such as archives, documents, city sheets, minutes of city council meetings, city annual reports, state sheets, newspapers, books, and other relevant literature.
Criticism Source: Assessment of credibility and validity of the sources that have been collected.
Interpretation: Interpret and give meaning to the sources that have been collected.
Historiography: Arranging and reconstructing information from sources that have been interpreted in the form of historical writing.

Research Results: Challenges and Efforts in Medan City Sanitation

The research results showed that the sanitation problems in Medan City during this period were complex and rooted in several factors, including:

Solid and dirty settlements: The rapid development of Medan City, mainly due to migration of the population to work on plantations, caused the emergence of dense and dirty settlements, reducing the quality of life and increasing the risk of disease.
Environmental pollution: Waste and household waste that was not well managed became a source of environmental pollution, causing river pollution, flooding, and increasing the risk of disease.
River environment destruction: Rivers that were a source of water and transportation routes were often polluted due to waste from residents, plantation companies, and even government institutions.

Conclusion

The sanitation issues in Medan City during the period 1909-1942 were complex and rooted in several factors, including rapid population growth, lack of awareness about the importance of sanitation, and inadequate infrastructure. The Medan City Government made efforts to address these issues, but these efforts faced obstacles in terms of budget and involvement of related parties. This study provides an overview of sanitation conditions in Medan City during the colonial period and shows that sanitation problems are complex issues that require serious and integrated handling from various parties.

Recommendations

Based on the research findings, the following recommendations are made:

Improvement of sanitation infrastructure: The Medan City Government should prioritize the improvement of sanitation infrastructure, including the construction of clean water supply, river normalization, drainage development and improvement, and waste sewage system.
Increased awareness about sanitation: The government should launch awareness campaigns to educate residents about the importance of sanitation and the risks associated with poor sanitation.
Involvement of private parties: The government should seek the involvement of private parties, including plantation companies, to contribute to the development of a better sanitation system.
Financial support: The government should seek financial support from the Dutch East Indies Central Government to help improve the sanitation system in the city of Medan.
Frequently Asked Questions: Sanitation Issues in the City of Medan, 1909-1942

In our previous article, we explored the sanitation issues in the city of Medan, Indonesia, during the period 1909-1942. In this article, we will answer some of the frequently asked questions related to this topic.

Q: What were the main causes of the sanitation crisis in Medan City during this period?

A: The main causes of the sanitation crisis in Medan City during this period were rapid population growth, lack of awareness about the importance of sanitation, and inadequate infrastructure. The city's rapid development, mainly due to migration of people to work on plantations, led to the emergence of dense and dirty settlements, reducing the quality of life and increasing the risk of disease.

Q: What were the effects of the sanitation crisis on the population of Medan City?

A: The sanitation crisis had a significant impact on the population of Medan City, leading to increased mortality rates, disease outbreaks, and poor living conditions. The lack of access to clean water, proper drainage, and waste management systems made it difficult for residents to maintain a healthy living environment.

Q: What efforts did the Medan City Government make to address the sanitation issues?

A: The Medan City Government made efforts to address the sanitation issues by initiating the development of a sanitation system, which included the construction of clean water supply, river normalization, drainage development and improvement, and waste sewage system. The government also sought the involvement of private parties, including plantation companies, to contribute to the development of a better sanitation system.

Q: What role did the Dutch East Indies Central Government play in addressing the sanitation issues in Medan City?

A: The Dutch East Indies Central Government provided financial support and policies to help improve the sanitation system in the city of Medan. However, the government's efforts were limited, and the city's sanitation problems persisted.

Q: What are the lessons that can be learned from the sanitation crisis in Medan City during this period?

A: The sanitation crisis in Medan City during this period highlights the importance of investing in sanitation infrastructure and promoting awareness about the importance of sanitation. It also emphasizes the need for integrated handling of sanitation problems, involving multiple stakeholders, including government, private parties, and the community.

Q: How can the sanitation issues in Medan City be addressed in the present day?

A: To address the sanitation issues in Medan City, the government should prioritize the improvement of sanitation infrastructure, including the construction of clean water supply, river normalization, drainage development and improvement, and waste sewage system. Additionally, awareness campaigns should be launched to educate residents about the importance of sanitation and the risks associated with poor sanitation.

Q: What are the current sanitation challenges facing Medan City?

A: Medan City still faces significant sanitation challenges, including inadequate waste management, poor drainage, and lack of access to clean water. The city's rapid growth and urbanization have put pressure on the sanitation system, making it difficult to maintain a healthy living environment.

Q: What role can the community play in addressing the sanitation issues in Medan City?

A: The community can play a significant role in addressing the sanitation issues in Medan City by promoting awareness about the importance of sanitation, participating in waste management and drainage activities, and advocating for improved sanitation infrastructure.

Q: What are the long-term implications of the sanitation crisis in Medan City during this period?

A: The sanitation crisis in Medan City during this period has had long-term implications for the city's health, economy, and environment. The city's sanitation problems persist to this day, and addressing them will require sustained efforts and investment from the government, private parties, and the community.