ANALISIS PENYALAHGUNAAN TROTOAR SEBAGAI BARANG PUBLIK DI KAWASAN KESAWAN KOTA MEDAN: KAJIAN STUDI LITERATUR

Abstract

Sidewalks are public facilities provided to support pedestrian mobility, but their use for other purposes can reduce the space available to the public. This study aims to analyze the misuse of sidewalks as a public good in the Kesawan area of Medan City from a public economics perspective. This study uses a descriptive qualitative approach with a library research design. Data were collected through documentation of scientific articles, regulations, official government documents, and media reports. The data were then analyzed using content analysis, which consists of data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions, with source triangulation to ensure data validity. The results show that despite being widened through revitalization, sidewalks in Kesawan have shifted from their intended function to become places for street vendors, street parking, billboards, and other activities, particularly at night when pedestrian use is also peak. Evidence from a previous survey indicates that 67.7% of 31 respondents felt more comfortable after the sidewalk widening, while about a third did not, and 41.9% felt unsafe at night. From a public economics perspective, sidewalks resemble a shared resource with limited capacity, creating negative externalities when the private benefits of commerce are offset by the social costs borne by pedestrians. Repeated enforcement in 2026 without adequate alternative business spaces will likely lead to recurrence of violations and social tensions. This study concludes that sidewalk management requires consistent enforcement of regulations, provision of legitimate business spaces, and improvement of supporting facilities.