The Ecological Footprint Analysis for Assessing Carrying Capacity of Industrial Zone in Semarang

Sudanti Budihardjo, Sudharto P. Hadi, Sutikno Sutikno, Purwanto Purwanto

Chemical Engineering, Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesis.
Environmental Science, Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia.
Geography, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
[e-mail].

DOI: 10.4236/jhrss.2013.12003                

Abstract

The industrial sector progress in Central Java has led to many achievements such as increasing regional economic growth, employment and business opportunities. However, industrial activities also led to a variety of negative impacts associated with environmental and social problems that can degrade the quality of the environment and in turn, will reduce the carrying capacity of the environment. This study aims to find the answer if the ecological footprint of Semarang Industrial Zone has surpassed its biocapacity, seen from the aspect of land suitability, the availability of water and energy as well as waste assimilation, and therefore the ecological deficit could be calculated. This study employed positivistic paradigm with quantitative analysis and explanatory research type. The study is conducted in Semarang Industrial zone using survey and case study, which aims to examine the ecological footprint of Semarang industrial zone. Research materials include ecological footprint calculation of Semarang industrial zone, assessing the magnitude of biocapacity and ecological deficit/remainder. The results showed that Semarang industrial zone has exceeded its environmental carrying capacity (overshoot). To support the sustainability of Semarang industrial activity, cleaner production system and ecological friendly industry that led to the development of Eco Industrial Park should be implemented. More of it, it is important to keep on using natural resources and energy efficiently, not producing the type of products which could harm the natural system, not changing the layout of the zone specified on the masterplan, particularly for open space, for water infiltration and greening, and not violating the basic building coefficient determined.

Keywords

Ecological Footprint; Carrying Capacity; Industrial Zone; Sustainability

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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