SOCIAL DYNAMICS BETWEEN PT GARAM WAREHOUSE AND THE SITISEWU COMMUNITY IN SOSROMENDURAN, YOGYAKARTA, INDONESIA

Abstract

Industrial heritage sites in Indonesia often reflect the continuity of colonial infrastructures within contemporary urban landscapes. The PT Garam warehouse in Sosromenduran, Yogyakarta, represents one such example as a colonial industrial structure that remains active in the present as a form of living heritage. Despite its historical significance, the building has not been officially designated as a cultural heritage site, making it vulnerable to functional transformation and potential demolition. This study aims to examine the social dynamics between the warehouse and the surrounding community and to explore the heritage narratives constructed by various stakeholders. This research employs a qualitative approach through field observation, interviews, and archival study method that were framed within industrial archaeology and cultural landscape theories. The findings indicate a shift in the social role of the warehouse from an open and socially integrated space into a more restricted and institutionally controlled environment, contributing to increasing social distance between the community and the site amid urban development and gentrification. Despite its significant historical, social, and cultural value, the absence of formal recognition and limited community involvement pose challenges to its preservation. Therefore, this study highlights the importance of inclusive heritage management to ensure the sustainability of industrial heritage within an evolving urban context.