Enhancing Urban Resilience: Opportunities and Challenges in Adapting to Natural Disasters in Indonesian Cities

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

As a reviewer, I noticed a few sentences with grammatical errors that need correction for clarity and readability. I recommend revising those to ensure the manuscript meets the expected language standards. Additionally, I suggest incorporating a schematic diagram to visually represent the methods discussed in the manuscript. This would help readers better understand the methodology and improve the overall presentation of the content.  

1.       Include a reference for a sentence written between lines 31-33.

2. The sentence written between lines 93-97 was grammatically incorrect. Please re-write it.  

3.       Rewrite the sentence written in between lines 151-153

4.       Rewrite the sentence written in between lines 178-181.

5.       Rewrite the sentence written in between lines 216-217.

6.       Rewrite the sentence written in between lines 223-226.

7.       Rewrite the sentence written in between lines 300-301.

 

8.       Combine the sentences written between lines 436-439. 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

I noticed a few grammatical errors in the text. Could you please correct them to ensure it's ready for publication? I appreciate your attention to detail. 

Author Response

Comment 1: Include a reference for a sentence written between lines 31-33.
Respond 1: Thank you for your valuable feedback. We have added the appropriate reference to support the statement between lines 31-33, as suggested. The revised sentence now includes a citation. The updated sentence now reads as follows: 
Cities face an increased risk of disasters due to extreme weather intensity, such as floods, heat waves, and storms [1]. 

Comment 2: The sentence written between lines 93-97 was grammatically incorrect. Please re-write it.  
Respond 2: Thank you for your careful review. We have revised the sentence between lines 93-97 to correct the grammatical errors and improve clarity. The updated sentence now reads as follows: 
The selection of the three cities was based on their distinct characteristics: Banda Aceh, which has experienced major disasters and implemented an ecosystem-based approach; Jakarta, the capital city, which faces significant urbanization challenges and severe flood risks; and Surabaya, recognized for its progressive development of green open spaces. This combination offers a diverse and contextual perspective.

Comment 3: Rewrite the sentence written in between lines 151-153.
Respond 3: Thank you for your careful review. We have revised the sentence between lines 151-153. The updated sentence now reads as follows: 
Jakarta, for instance, grapples with significant challenges in mitigating the threats of flooding and coastal erosion exacerbated by rapid urbanization. In contrast, Surabaya has proactively addressed these issues through a robust greening program aimed at mitigating the impacts of urban heat and flooding caused by extreme rainfall events.

Comment 4: Rewrite the sentence written in between lines 178-181.
Respond 4: Thank you for your careful review. We have revised the sentence between lines 178–181. The updated sentence now reads as follows:
Expanding green open spaces often faces significant hurdles, including the competing demands of infrastructure development and economic growth. Moreover, uncontrolled urbanization exacerbates the city's vulnerability to flooding, a risk further compounded by the impacts of climate change.

 

Comment 5: Rewrite the sentence written in between lines 216-217.
Respond 5: Thank you for your careful review. We have revised the sentence between lines 216-217. The updated sentence now reads as follows:
This concept prioritizes efficient natural resource utilization, carbon emissions reduction, and the preservation of natural ecosystems. Implementing green city initiatives in Indonesia is crucial for addressing climate change challenges while enhancing the quality of life for local communities. 

Comment 6: Rewrite the sentence written in between lines 223-226.
Respond 6: Thank you for your careful review. We have revised the sentence between lines 223-226. The updated sentence now reads as follows:
The immediate benefits of implementing green cities are evident in their contribution to urban resilience against disasters. The integration of blue-green infrastructure, which combines green open spaces with an environmentally friendly water management system, serves as an effective approach. 

Comment 7: Rewrite the sentence written in between lines 300-301.
Respond 7: Thank you for your careful review. We have revised the sentence between lines 300-301. The updated sentence now reads as follows:
Land limitations in urban areas, as experienced by other coastal cities, pose a challenge to the expansion of ideal green open spaces [44]. 

Comment 8: Combine the sentences written between lines 436-439. 
Respond 8: Thank you for your suggestion. We have combined the sentences between lines 436-439 to improve conciseness and readability. The revised sentence now reads as follows:
Furthermore, limited budgets for infrastructure construction and maintenance hinder timely repairs, while the unpredictable nature of climate change, characterized by intense rainfall, droughts, and rising sea levels, further compounds these challenges, forcing cities to adapt rapidly [58]. This necessitates stronger efforts to enhance physical and systemic resilience to future disasters.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript looks well-structured, addressing key challenges and opportunities for enhancing urban resilience in Indonesia, particularly through the implementation of green city concepts. Here's some feedback and suggestions to further refine the manuscript and improve its alignment with the standards of the  journal:

The abstract is concise and clear. However, you may want to refine the flow slightly to improve readability and impact. Consider emphasizing key findings more prominently.

"This study identifies the key challenges and opportunities for enhancing urban resilience in Indonesia, focusing on the implementation of green city concepts as a strategic solution to improve urban sustainability."

The conclusion provides a comprehensive summary of the study's findings. You might want to make the recommendations more actionable by explicitly listing them.

Break the conclusion into more focused points, such as:

Improved infrastructure: Invest in resilient infrastructure that accounts for climate change impacts.

 Strengthen cross-sector collaboration, including government, communities, and the private sector.

Leverage smart city technology and environmentally friendly systems to improve disaster preparedness.

The results section provides a good overview of urban resilience, but some sentences are a bit long and might benefit from clearer breaks.

Suggestion: Break long sentences into shorter, more digestible parts. For example:

Before: "The concept includes social, economic, and environmental aspects that allow cities to mitigate the impact of disasters as well as accelerate recovery."

After: "The concept encompasses social, economic, and environmental factors. These elements help cities mitigate disaster impacts and accelerate recovery."

When discussing specific cities like Jakarta, Surabaya, and Banda Aceh, it may be useful to emphasize how each city's unique characteristics influence their approach to resilience. For instance, while Jakarta faces challenges with flooding and coastal abrasion, Surabaya's greening initiatives offer a model for climate adaptation.

Ensure consistent terminology: For example, sometimes the term "green city" is used interchangeably with "sustainable city." Make sure these terms are defined early in the manuscript to avoid confusion.

Clarify methodology in the abstract: The abstract mentions systematic literature review (SLR) and policy analysis, but a more explicit mention of the number of studies reviewed or specific policy frameworks might strengthen its impact.

 Try to directly tie each challenge (e.g., budget constraints, inadequate infrastructure) with corresponding opportunities or solutions. This could make the narrative even more actionable.

Flow and cohesion: To enhance readability, consider reviewing transitions between sections (e.g., from challenges to opportunities).  This would help guide the reader through the logical flow of your argument.

If it helps, consider citing the following literature on urbanization and extreme weather:

Evaluation and prediction of compound geohazards in highly urbanized regions across China's Greater Bay Area. Journal of Cleaner Production, 141641, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.141641.

Compound successive dry-hot and wet extremes in China with global warming and urbanization.Journal of Hydrology

Volume 636, June 2024, 131332 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2024.131332

Comments on the Quality of English Language

No

Author Response

Comment 1: The abstract is concise and clear. However, you may want to refine the flow slightly to improve readability and impact. Consider emphasizing key findings more prominently.
Respond 1: Thank you for your valuable feedback. We have revised the abstract to improve readability and enhance the emphasis on key findings. The updated sentence now reads as follows:  
Abstract: This study identifies the key challenges and opportunities for enhancing urban resilience in Indonesia, focusing on the implementation of green city concepts as a strategic solution to improve urban sustainability. Case studies of Banda Aceh, Jakarta, and Surabaya demonstrate the potential and limitations of this approach in addressing critical issues such as flooding, coastal erosion, and urban heat island effects. A systematic literature review (SLR) and policy analysis related to urban resilience were employed, along with an evaluation of green city initiatives implemented in several major cities across Indonesia. Findings reveal that inadequate infrastructure, rapid urbanization, and limited budgets constitute major obstacles to adopting sustainable solutions. However, significant opportunities exist for enhancing urban resilience through collaborative efforts between the government, society, and the private sector. These opportunities include the application of environmentally friendly technologies, the development of robust early warning systems, and the implementation of adaptive urban planning strategies. This study concludes that strengthening urban resilience necessitates cross-sector collaboration, investments in resilient infrastructure, and increased public awareness and involvement in mitigating disaster risks and addressing the challenges of climate change.  

Comment 2: The conclusion provides a comprehensive summary of the study's findings. You might want to make the recommendations more actionable by explicitly listing them. Break the conclusion into more focused points, such as:
•    Improved infrastructure: Invest in resilient infrastructure that accounts for climate change impacts.
•    Strengthen cross-sector collaboration, including government, communities, and the private sector.
•    Leverage smart city technology and environmentally friendly systems to improve disaster preparedness. 
Respond 2: Thank you for your insightful suggestion. We have revised the conclusion by explicitly listing the recommendations to make them more actionable. The updated sentence now reads as follows: 
This study concludes that the primary challenges in improving urban resilience to disasters in Indonesia include inadequate infrastructure, rapid urbanization, budget constraints, and the increasing complexity of climate change management. Limited infrastructure weakens a city's ability to mitigate disaster impacts, while rapid urbanization places additional strain on existing systems, increasing vulnerability. Additionally, financial constraints and limited government capacity to manage climate-related risks further hinder urban resilience.
Despite these challenges, significant opportunities exist to enhance urban resilience through multi-stakeholder collaboration, technological innovation, and strategic policy development. Strengthening coordination between central and local governments, empowering communities in disaster mitigation efforts, and integrating adaptive urban planning can significantly improve disaster preparedness and response. International cooperation also provides valuable access to expertise, technology, and funding for sustainable and resilient urban development.
To address these issues, this study recommends the following key actions:
a.    Invest in resilient infrastructure – Develop climate-adaptive infrastructure, including sustainable drainage systems, flood control mechanisms, and green open spaces to mitigate disaster risks and urban heat effects.
b.    Strengthen cross-sector collaboration – Enhance cooperation between government agencies, the private sector, and local communities to improve policy effectiveness, resource allocation, and disaster response mechanisms.
c.    Leverage smart city technology – Utilize digital innovations, real-time early warning systems, and environmentally friendly urban solutions to enhance disaster preparedness and adaptive urban management.
d.    Promote adaptive urban planning – Integrate green city principles into development strategies, ensuring that land use policies, zoning regulations, and infrastructure projects incorporate sustainability and disaster resilience considerations.
e.    Increase public awareness and community empowerment – Conduct educational programs and disaster preparedness initiatives to strengthen community engagement in risk reduction and response efforts.
f.    Secure sustainable funding and international cooperation – Develop financing strategies that support long-term urban resilience projects, leveraging both domestic and international partnerships for knowledge-sharing and investment in sustainable urban development.
By implementing these measures, Indonesian cities can enhance their ability to withstand and recover from disasters while fostering long-term urban sustainability. A coordinated and comprehensive approach, integrating social, economic, and environmental dimensions into urban planning, is crucial to creating safer, more resilient, and future-ready cities.

Comment 3: The results section provides a good overview of urban resilience, but some sentences are a bit long and might benefit from clearer breaks. Suggestion: Break long sentences into shorter, more digestible parts. For example: 
•    Before: "The concept includes social, economic, and environmental aspects that allow cities to mitigate the impact of disasters as well as accelerate recovery."
•    After: "The concept encompasses social, economic, and environmental factors. These elements help cities mitigate disaster impacts and accelerate recovery."
Respond 3: Thank you for the valuable feedback. We have revised the Results section by breaking down long sentences into shorter, more concise statements to enhance readability and clarity. The updated sentence now reads as follows: 
The concept encompasses social, economic, and environmental factors. These elements help cities mitigate disaster impacts and accelerate recovery. 

Comment 4: When discussing specific cities like Jakarta, Surabaya, and Banda Aceh, it may be useful to emphasize how each city's unique characteristics influence their approach to resilience. For instance, while Jakarta faces challenges with flooding and coastal abrasion, Surabaya's greening initiatives offer a model for climate adaptation.
Respond 4: Thank you for the insightful suggestion. We have revised the discussion to emphasize how each city's unique characteristics. The updated sentence now reads as follows:
For instance, while Jakarta faces challenges with flooding and coastal abrasion, Surabaya's greening initiatives offer a model for climate adaptation.

Comment 5: Ensure consistent terminology: For example, sometimes the term "green city" is used interchangeably with "sustainable city." Make sure these terms are defined early in the manuscript to avoid confusion.
Respond 5: Thank you for your suggestion. We have ensured consistency in terminology by consistently using ‘green city’ instead of ‘sustainable city’ throughout the manuscript. The updated sentence now reads as follows:
This move not only reduces the negative impact on the environment but also supports Jakarta's vision as a cleaner and more green city. 

Comment 6: Clarify methodology in the abstract.
Respond 6: Thank you for your careful review. We have revised the abstract.

Comment 7: Try to directly tie each challenge with corresponding opportunities or solutions. Flow and cohesion.
Respond 7: Thank you for the valuable suggestion. We have revised the discussion section to directly link each identified challenge with corresponding opportunities or solutions.

Comment 8: Flow and cohesion: To enhance readability, consider reviewing transitions between sections.
Respond 8: Thank you for the suggestion. We have improved the transitions between sections to enhance the flow and cohesion of the manuscript.

Comment 9: Consider citing the following literature on urbanization and extreme weather:
•    Evaluation and prediction of compound geohazards in highly urbanized regions across China's Greater Bay Area. Journal of Cleaner Production, 141641, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.141641.
•    Compound successive dry-hot and wet extremes in China with global warming and urbanization.Journal of Hydrology Volume 636, June 2024, 131332 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2024.131332
Respond 9: Thank you for the suggestion. We have incorporated the recommended literature on urbanization and extreme weather into the discussion section to strengthen our argument. The revised sentence now reads as follows:
The findings of He et al. [66, 67] have significant implications for Indonesian cities, particularly Jakarta, which is experiencing rapid urbanization and is highly vulnerable to flooding and other extreme weather events. The study highlights the need to consider the compounding effects of multiple hazards and to develop urban planning strategies that mitigate these risks.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

I attached the review report. 

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Comment 1: In lines 46-50, the author mentions green spaces' importance in climate adaptation, resilience, and mitigation of climatic disasters. The paper needs to briefly introduce the green spaces available in the study target cities, including their quality, potential, and existing problems and concerns. 
Respond 1: Thank you for your valuable feedback. We have revised the manuscript. The updated sentence now reads as follows: 
In the study's target cities, green spaces play a crucial role in climate adaptation, resilience, and disaster mitigation. Banda Aceh has integrated coastal green belts and mangrove rehabilitation efforts to enhance resilience against tsunamis and coastal flooding. Jakarta has several urban parks and riverbank green spaces, such as the revitalized Ciliwung River, but struggles with land-use conflicts and maintenance challenges. Surabaya, known for its progressive greening programs, has successfully expanded urban forests and city parks, such as Taman Bungkul, demonstrating the potential of green spaces to improve urban resilience. However, these cities face challenges in sustaining green space quality due to urban expansion, pollution, and inadequate governance, requiring more strategic and adaptive management approaches.  

Comment 2: The paragraph (lines 52-53) mentions Open Space's role in energy efficiency and disaster risk management. Although referenced, it is unclear how open space can reduce energy needs in large cities, so the reader will not fully understand this.   
Respond 2: Thank you for your careful review. We have revised the manuscript. The updated sentence now reads as follows:  
Open spaces also play an important role in energy efficiency and disaster risk management. Research shows that a well-designed open space system can reduce energy needs in large cities facing rapid urbanization [7]. Strategically designed urban green spaces help regulate microclimates, lowering surface temperatures and reducing the demand for artificial cooling. Tree canopies and vegetated areas provide shade, decreasing the urban heat island effect and minimizing energy consumption for air conditioning in densely populated areas. Additionally, well-planned open spaces enhance natural ventilation, improving air circulation and lowering indoor cooling costs. Beyond energy efficiency, open spaces also contribute to disaster risk management by acting as buffer zones that absorb excess rainwater, reducing flood risks, and serving as emergency evacuation sites during disasters.

Comment 3: Lines 54-55, ‘the proposed quantitative framework for measuring the dynamic resilience of coastal cities provides a data-driven foundation for decision-making in resilient urban planning’. What is the Proposed Quantitative Framework? The readers usually do not go to read the framework. The author should briefly explain the important related points of the framework in the text for clarification.     
Respond 3: Thank you for your careful review. We have revised the manuscript. The updated sentence now reads as follows:   
Furthermore, the proposed quantitative framework for measuring the dynamic resilience of coastal cities integrates multiple environmental, social, and infrastructural indicators to assess urban vulnerability and adaptive capacity. This framework utilizes spatial and temporal data to evaluate factors such as land use changes, flood susceptibility, infrastructure robustness, and community preparedness. By applying this data-driven approach, urban planners can identify high-risk zones, prioritize interventions, and develop targeted policies that enhance a city's ability to withstand and recover from climate-related disasters [8].

Comment 4: Lines 84-85, ‘With a holistic evidence based approach, Indonesia has the potential to become a model in the implementation of resilient and sustainable green cities  (Reference?).’ This statement is based on previous investigations; it is better to cite them here.     
Respond 4: Thank you for your careful review. We have revised the manuscript. The updated sentence now reads as follows:   
With a holistic evidence-based approach, Indonesia has the potential to become a model in the implementation of resilient and sustainable green cities [17, 19].

Comment 5: Materials and Methods: A map of the study area (the three cities) is required.
Respond 5: Thank you for your suggestion. We have added a map of the study area, highlighting the locations of the three cities—Banda Aceh, Jakarta, and Surabaya. 

Comment 6: Results: What is the great potential for environmental sustainability? ‘Indonesia has great potential to develop cities that are not only resilient to disasters but also provide economic, social, and environmental benefits for the community’. 
Respond 6: Thank you for the valuable feedback. We have revised the manuscript. The updated sentence now reads as follows:   
In the future, the application of green cities and environmentally friendly technologies will be an important step to improve resilience and quality of life in Indonesian cities. As part of its global commitment to sustainability, Indonesia has great potential to develop cities that are not only resilient to disasters but also environmentally sustainable, providing economic, social, and environmental benefits for the community [30]. 

Comment 7: Line 309-310: Only GIS is mentioned in implementing sustainability policies using technology. Several technologies are involved in a city's sustainability and resilience. 
Respond 7: Thank you for your careful review. We have revised the manuscript. The updated sentence now reads as follows:   
However, it's important to recognize that GIS is just one of many technologies crucial for achieving urban sustainability and resilience. Other key technologies include the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), renewable energy sources, and smart grid technologies. This approach allows for the optimization of data-driven strategies to improve disaster preparedness and development policy efficiency. 

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The resolution of the image does not satisfy the journal standards. The author needs to attach images following the journal standards. When attaching maps to a paper, the author needs to mention the following on the map.

• North direction
• The scale of the map
• The administration boundaries are not clear
• The author needs to include a legend on the map.
  
  
  

 

 

Author Response

Comment 1: The resolution of the image does not satisfy the journal standards. The author needs to attach images following the journal standards. When attaching maps to a paper, the author needs to mention the following on the map.
•    North direction
•    The scale of the map
•    The administration boundaries are not clear
•    The author needs to include a legend on the map.

Respond 1: Thank you for the reviewer’s valuable feedback. I have revised the images and maps to meet the journal's standards. The updated versions now include:
•    Improved Resolution – The images have been enhanced to comply with the required quality standards.
•    North Direction Indicator – Added to all maps for proper orientation.
•    Scale of the Map – Clearly indicated to provide accurate spatial references.
•    Administrative Boundaries – Adjusted for better clarity and readability.
•    Legend – Included to explain symbols and features on the maps.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

I think it's worth publishing in its current form.

Author Response

Comment 1: I think it's worth publishing in its current form.

Respond 1: Thank you for the reviewer's positive feedback and recommendation for publication. I appreciate the time and effort taken to assess my manuscript.  

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Thanks 

Good luck!

Author Response

Comment 1: Thanks. Good luck.     

Respond 1: Thank you for your kind words and support. I truly appreciate your time and effort in reviewing my manuscript.