Integrating spatial planning into disaster recovery is essential for building safer and more resilient communities in hazard-prone regions. Responding to this challenge, a team from the School of Architecture, Planning and Policy Development (SAPPK), Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), in collaboration with Universitas Almuslim, implemented a community service program in Desa Pengidam, Aceh Tamiang Regency, focusing on disaster recovery from a spatial planning perspective. The activity was led by Nurrohman Wijaya, Ph.D., together with Budi Faisal, Ph.D., Mohammad Zaini Dahlan, Ph.D., Dr. Isnu Putra Pratama, and Dr. Cut Azizah from Universitas Almuslim, supported by assistants Ifandra Kusuma Cahya Reynaldi, S.T., Bima Aditya, and Abdurrahman Aziz Sofyan, S.T. The program, entitled “Pemulihan Bencana Aspek Tata Ruang” (Disaster Recovery from a Spatial Planning Perspective), was funded under the Top-Down Community Service Scheme 2026 (Phase II) through the ITB Special Program for Disaster Response and Recovery in Sumatra.

Supporting Communities in High-Risk Areas

Desa Pengidam is located in the upstream area of the Tamiang River Basin (DAS Tamiang) and borders the ecologically important Gunung Leuser National Park (TNGL). Despite its environmental significance, the village has long been identified as highly vulnerable to flash floods. This vulnerability became evident on 25 November 2025, when a severe flash flood destroyed Dusun Suka Maju, one of the village’s settlements. Although recurrent disasters continue to threaten the area, local communities have chosen to remain due to strong social ties, agricultural livelihoods, and historical attachment to their land. Recognizing this reality, the ITB team adopted an adaptive approach, emphasizing that disaster mitigation and spatial planning must become integral components of future village development.

Community-Based Interventions

Field activities conducted on 6–7 April 2026 focused on four main interventions: 1) Participatory spatial planning: through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), residents were divided into thematic groups covering economic activities, settlements, environmental management, and public infrastructure. The discussions produced recommendations to relocate housing and public facilities to higher-elevation, safer areas while preserving riverbanks as protected zones; 2) Strengthening early warning systems: the team enhanced existing community-based warning practices by analyzing flood travel times from upstream areas. The findings showed that floodwaters require approximately 7.5 hours from Pinding (Gayo Lues) and 9 hours from Lokop (East Aceh) to reach Desa Pengidam, providing communities with more accurate evacuation timelines; 3) Nature-based solutions for resilience: to strengthen environmental stability and food security, the program introduced the planting of breadfruit (sukun) trees. In addition to providing an alternative food source during emergencies, breadfruit trees contribute to soil stabilization and reduce erosion risks; and 4) Disaster education for young generations: educational activities and evacuation simulations were also conducted at local elementary and junior high schools to increase disaster awareness and preparedness among children.

Toward More Resilient Villages

The program demonstrates that disaster risk reduction should not be treated as a separate activity but integrated into spatial planning and community development. By combining scientific analysis, local knowledge, and participatory approaches, the initiative helps strengthen the adaptive capacity of communities living in disaster-prone areas. This collaboration also reflects SAPPK ITB’s commitment to advancing the Tridharma of Higher Education through research-based community engagement that supports safer, more resilient, and sustainable regional development.