The Metaphor of "Center" in Planning: Learning from the Geopolitical Order of Swidden Traditions in the Land of Sunda

Abstract. This study intends to open a new discourse about the role and position of the center in the field of regional and urban planning by using it as a metaphor. By using a metaphoric deconstruction method, the study examines the changes in geopolitical order and in the concept of the center in the Land of Sunda, which based on the swidden tradition as an implication of Hindu and Islamic influences. The study shows that from before the arrival of Hinduism until the height of Islamic power in the 15th century, the geopolitical order in the Land of Sunda has transformed from (1) an egalitarian system without center to (2) an egalitarian system with a hidden center and then to (3) a hierarchical-network system with noticeable and bold center. However, the swidden tradition remains, which is mainly evident from the use of the concepts of “inside†and “outside†for representing the principles of autonomy and alliance respectively. The two principles have been the main features of the geopolitical order in the Land of Sunda with its ecological and pluralistic nature. These principles teach that the center is not always identified as a dominant and absolute power. The center is not the only decisive point that determines the stability of a system as a whole. The stability is rather maintained by sharing power mechanism to advance the self-empowerment process of non-center entities, which allows them to emerge as new powers. This understanding indicates the urgency to re-evaluate the current planning approach that focuses mainly on the implementation of the size-based paradigm, which is deterministic and always positions the center as a major decisive power.