Contemporary Research Analysis Journal

This study examines the relationship between patron–client relations and urban socio-ecological resilience in Indonesia, with a focus on how informal power structures influence community adaptive capacities. The analysis integrates Urban Political Ecology (UPE) and Social-Ecological Systems (SES) perspectives to address the theoretical blind spot that often neglects power dynamics in resilience studies. An Integrated Literature Review (ILR) was conducted using a modified PRISMA protocol, synthesizing 28 selected studies from both international and national academic databases. Findings reveal three major typologies of urban patronage, land control, informal sector arrangements, and infrastructure projects, each producing distinct implications for ecological resilience. Patronage networks can exacerbate vulnerabilities through practices such as green space conversion and groundwater exploitation, yet they may also serve adaptive functions by facilitating rapid resource distribution during crises. Building on these insights, the study proposes a new conceptual framework, the Urban Resilience–Power Nexus, which highlights the role of patronage density, access to critical resources, and local institutional capacities in shaping resilience outcomes. The study concludes that patron–client relations should not be viewed solely as obstacles; instead, they can be harnessed as institutional raw materials for sustainable governance. Policy implications emphasize strengthening local institutions, introducing ecological performance-based incentives, and promoting co-governance approaches that integrate patronage networks into formal governance structures.

urban, resilience-power nexus, patronage, power dynamics, institutional bricolage

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