THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC BACKGROUND OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN THE SUNDANESE LAND (1800-1942)

Abstract

Historically a monumental and strategic region, the Sundanese Land was home to Banten,
Batavia, Priangan, and Cirebon, cities which played important roles during the Dutch Indies
colonial rule (1800-1942). To develop the Sundanese Land, infrastructure that suited the
condition and functional needs of each city had to be constructed. Infrastructure could not
have been developed without taking into account the natural environment in which it was to
be placed. It is therefore important to describe the geographical and ecological condition of
the Sundanese Land. Geographical and ecological conditions had their effects on the socioeconomic life of the Sundanese people. It is thus equally important to elaborate on the socioeconomic background of the Sundanese people and how it related to the development of
infrastructure in the Sundanese Land during the colonial period.