THE IMPACT OF VILLA CONTRUCTION ON THE SOCIOCULTURAL LIVES OF PERERENAN VILLAGER, MENGWI, BADUNG

ABSTRACT This study examines the phenomenon of villa construction in Pererenan Village, Mengwi, Badung, in the period of 1990-2010. This research has two focuses which are: first, to examine the impacts of the construction of villas on the socio-cultural life of the people of Pererenan Village; and second, to know the efforts taken to deal with the impacts arising in connection with the construction of villas in Pererenan Village. The theories applied in this study were Doxey’s Irridex Theory and Structural Functionalism Theory. The method used in this study was a qualitative method. The data were analyzed descriptively and interpretatively while the techniques of collecting data were interviews, documentation, observation and triangulation. The results of the study showed that the construction of villas in Pererenan Village has impacts on the socio-cultural life of the local people in which there were ten identified impacts. Until now, the efforts that have been made by the government, investors and the local people to deal with the negative impacts of the construction of villas in that area are among others: the government have stipulated policy concerning villa permits and controlled the construction of villas in the village of Pererenan; the investors have maintained good relationships with the local people and the local people have participated in the development planning process of villa construction. Based on the results of the study, it is concluded that the construction of villas has impacts on the socio-cultural life of the people of the village of Pererenan. There were changes in Pererenan people’s attitudes towards the construction of villas in their area during the period of 1990 to 2010 in which at first, they were excited, then they became not interested (showing apathy) and in 2010 they reached a stage in which they felt annoyed with the increasing number of villas. The construction of villas in the life cycle of tourist destinations reached the stage of development because at the time when this study took place in the year of 2010, the villa construction was continued. It is recommended that the government, investors, and the community work together in anticipating any negative impacts on the socio-cultural life of the local people by establishing a forum for communication among villages with regard to the arrangement of villa construction. Pererenan Village government in particular is expected to be more selective in accepting investors who want to build a villa. Investors are expected to be more cooperative with the village officials and the local people, and the local people are expected to increase their awareness of their identity by upholding their local wisdom. Keywords: villa, socio-cultural impacts, Pererenan Village