TITLE:
Commodification of Traditional Open Spaces as a Commodity and the Consequent Damage of Environmental Ethics (Case Study in Ubud Village Bali Indonesia)
AUTHORS:
Ida Bagus Brata, Ida Bagus Seloka, Ida Bagus Nyoman Wartha
KEYWORDS:
Commodification, Traditional Open Space, Environmental Ethics
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Ecology,
Vol.9 No.6,
June
25,
2019
ABSTRACT: This paper aims to examine the phenomenon of
commodification of traditional open space into commodities which results in the
destruction of environmental ethics. Environmental ethics places restrictions
on freedom in exercising ownership rights and pays more attention to ethical obligations to the environment. The
anthropocentric approach should be avoided because it only sees the environment
from its commercial angles to satisfy human interests. This research critically
describes the reality of the utilization of traditional open spaces in Ubud to
become an economic space. The rapid influence of global culture has
implications for the practices of capitalist culture within the frame of the
tourism industry, resulting in cultural industries, popular culture, hedonic
lifestyles and consumerism. This study used a qualitative method. The data was
obtained through observation, interviews, literature studies, and documents.
The results of the study revealed how traditional open spaces were produced,
distributed and consumed by the market. Traditional open spaces were
commercialized, traded like goods and services. Traditional open spaces, such
as paddy fields, cliffs, telajakan (front part of the house complex), city parks, domestic properties, backyards,
cemeteries have been turned into economic spaces to satisfy the taste of
tourists. Space is controlled and commodified by capital owners to feed their
economic libido while disobeying environmental ethics.