Bridging Economic Recovery and Green Infrastructure Lessons from the 2021 Semeru Disaster in Indonesia

¹ State University of Malang, Department of Accounting, Faculty of Economics and Business, Malang, Indonesia
² State University of Malang, Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Science, Malang, Indonesia
³ State University of Malang, Department of Public Health Science, Faculty of Sports Science, Malang, Indonesia
⁴ State University of Malang, Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, Malang, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

The 2021 eruption of Mount Semeru in East Java, Indonesia, triggered widespread socio-economic and environmental disruptions across Lumajang Regency. This study evaluates post-eruption recovery strategies through an integrated lens of economic policy assessment, geospatial hazard mapping, and community resilience. The research identifies key challenges, including substantial losses to agriculture, MSMEs, and critical infrastructure, with cumulative damages exceeding IDR 592.9 billion. Drawing on hazard zonation and vulnerability mapping, this study highlights the urgent need for localised, green recovery frameworks. Particular attention is given to the permanent housing development (Hunian Tetap) in Sumbermujur, which stands as a flagship model of eco-resilient reconstruction, setting a national record for scale and speed. The facility integrates green housing principles, sustainable public services, and communal economic revitalisation initiatives. Findings indicate that while the recovery approach has made significant strides, policy gaps remain, especially in mainstreaming sustainability into regional planning and aligning multi-stakeholder efforts. This paper concludes that embedding green infrastructure into economic recovery pathways, supported by adaptive financing, spatial intelligence, and inclusive governance, is essential for ensuring long-term resilience in post-volcanic regions. The Semeru case offers transferable insights for future disaster response strategies in similar hazard-prone settings.