Waste management in heritage tourism area: perspectives from visitors and waste management operators

Preserving the Past, Managing the Present: The Challenge of Waste in Semarang’s Old City

For heritage tourism destinations, “image” is everything. In the Old City of Semarang (Kota Lama), the majesty of colonial architecture and historic streetscapes faces a modern antagonist: the growing tide of urban waste.

Sustainable waste management in these areas is not just a logistical necessity; it is a critical component of cultural preservation.

1. The Paradox of the Visitor Experience

Research into the behaviors of visitors in the Old City reveals a promising, yet complex, psychological landscape:

• High Awareness: Contrary to common stereotypes of “tourist apathy,” visitors in Semarang show a remarkably positive attitude toward cleanliness and waste awareness.
• The Gap in Action: While awareness is high, the transition from behavioral intent to practical action is often hindered by the availability of infrastructure and clear waste-sorting cues.

2. Operational Realities: The Operator Perspective

For those tasked with managing the area’s waste, the challenge is systemic. While sustainability is a stated goal, the study highlights that it has yet to be fully realized across all operational dimensions:

• Infrastructure Limitations: Strategic collection points and specialized sorting facilities are still in development phases.
• Stakeholder Coordination: The management of a heritage site involves a delicate dance between government bodies, private vendors, and local communities.

3. Pathways to a “Circular” Heritage Site

To ensure that the Old City remains an asset for future generations, the study proposes a multi-tiered intervention strategy:

Strategic Measure	Objective	Implementation
Mandatory Sorting	Reducing landfill dependency.	Installation of color-coded bins with clear iconography for international and local visitors.
Stakeholder Synergy	Creating a shared responsibility.	Establishing a formal coalition between tourism boards, local businesses, and waste operators.
Policy Advocacy	Institutionalizing sustainability.	Drafting site-specific regulations that mandate zero-waste practices for events and vendors.

4. Beyond Aesthetics: The Sustainability Goal

A heritage site that is “clean” only on the surface is not truly sustainable. True success lies in an Integrated Waste Management model that balances the environmental footprint of thousands of daily visitors with the fragile nature of historic preservation.

The Old City of Semarang stands as a blueprint for other developing cities. The lesson is clear: managing waste in historic areas requires more than just more trash cans it requires a cultural shift in how we value both our history and our environment.

Sustainable tourism is a loop. If we don’t manage the waste of today, we degrade the history we are trying to celebrate tomorrow.

• Methodology: Quantitative (questionnaires, interviews, and field observations).
• Location: Old City of Semarang (Kota Lama), Indonesia.
• Goal: Bridging the gap between visitor awareness and operational reality.

source:
https://journal.pusbindiklatren.bappenas.go.id/lib/jisdep/article/view/524