Legal Pluralism and Interethnic Land Conflict in the Development of the Nusantara Capital Area, East Kalimantan, Indonesia

This study investigates how migration, diverse land tenure systems, and interethnic relations shape social dynamics and conflict in the development zone of Indonesia’s new capital, Ibu Kota Nusantara (IKN). Using a qualitative case study approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews with six participants—three Balik migrants and three Javanese migrants—supported by participant observation. Thematic analysis, guided by Creswell’s (2015) framework and strengthened through triangulation across interviews, observations, and documentary sources, ensured analytic rigor. Findings reveal that overlapping statutory and customary land systems create legal ambiguity that fuels interethnic disputes, intra-communal fragmentation, and the erosion of customary authority. The study proposes a typology of land conflicts—vertical (community–state), horizontal (interethnic), and internal (intra-communal)—to capture the multi-layered nature of contestation. The findings emphasize that acknowledging indigenous land rights, strengthening participatory spatial planning, and institutionalizing culturally grounded conflict mediation are essential to achieving inclusive, conflict-sensitive urban transformation in Indonesia’s new capital.