Typology Spatial Arrangement and the Strategic Urban Structure of Surakarta’s Fortifications and its Surroundings (1756, 1821, 1832, 1873)

Abstract

This study examines the spatial arrangement and strategic urban structures of the Surakarta Fortification during the 18th and 19th centuries, highlighting how defence, trade, and governance were intertwined in its urban fabric. By analyzing maps from 1756, 1821, 1832, and 1873, the research identifies distinctive spatial typologies that reveal both the military logic and civic functions embedded in the fort’s design. The comparative approach situates Surakarta within broader traditions of colonial and military urbanism, while also underscoring its unique synthesis of Javanese royal authority and imported fortification strategies. The findings contribute to architectural and urban knowledge by offering a classification method of ground-plan typologies that illuminate the relationship between strategic defence and urban development. Beyond historical interpretation, this study also engages contemporary debates on heritage conservation, the planning of historic cities, and public policy, demonstrating the enduring relevance of fortification structures in shaping urban identity.