Analysis of the Influence of Peatlands on the Development of the Palangka Raya Urban Area

Palangka Raya City has been designated the National Activity Center for the Central Kalimantan Province, resulting in a 2.24% increase in the city’s population growth rate. As a consequence, the demand for housing has surged, leading to a reduction in peat land. Peatlands are vital for carbon storage, water system support, and biodiversity preservation. Therefore, it is crucial to consider the impact of projected urban development on peatlands. The Cellular Automata method, a spatially discrete dynamic system of regular cells with processing time at each different stage, was used to calculate this impact. According to the two CA approaches, bushland might be converted into residential land, while the driving factor approach suggests that the rate of residential development is at 74.48%. Unfortunately, peatland in Jekan Raya, Sabangau, and Pahandut sub-districts has significantly reduced. Therefore, implementing a peatland protection scheme is necessary to prevent urban area development from diminishing the environmental value of Palangka Raya City.