Our global cohort of PhD researchers offers unique insights into addressing urban challenges by exploring the complexities of governance, sustainability, and social dynamics within different contexts. In this interview, we meet Issa Tafridj, whose research focuses on housing for the urban middle class in Indonesia.
Trapped between two extremes
In her PhD research, Issa explores the growing housing challenges faced by Indonesia’s urban middle class. Like in many parts of the world, middle-income families in Indonesia’s major cities find themselves trapped between two extremes: they earn too much to qualify for government housing subsidies but too little to compete in the commercial (private) housing market. This supply-demand mismatch has created a housing crisis that disproportionately affects the middle class.
Alongside financial constrains there are other factors to consider when examining how people perceive and make decisions when looking for a new home; one of which is culture. Culture is a broad concept, especially in a country as diverse as Indonesia. In Issa’s research, it manifests in different areas of a person’s life, from their values and lifestyle to their relationships with family and community, and how all of these aspects influence their housing decisions. This perspective allows her to explore how deeply rooted social expectations shape the housing pathways of Indonesia’s urban middle class.
The research is still in its early stages, as Issa is currently finalising the methodology section. She plans to adopt a qualitative research approach to gain a deeper understanding of people’s lived experiences and the cultural dynamics that shape their housing decisions. Through this, she hopes to provide insights that could inform the development of a more equitable and context-sensitive housing system for Indonesia’s cities.
Policies and change
Issa’s research touches on an issue that many can relate to: a struggle for fair and affordable housing in an increasingly competitive urban environment. It is a topic that calls for greater recognition and deeper investigation. Through her research, Issa hopes to generate insights that can inform policy changes and contribute to more inclusive urban development. As the world continues to evolve, so too does the need for housing systems that adapt to changing social structures, values, and aspirations.
One of the goals is that my research will call attention to this very real, very significant struggle that the urban middle class in Indonesia is facing in terms of finding adequate housing. An issue that's not being addressed by policymakers.
Life in The Netherlands
Issa and her husband Zulfika are both pursuing their PhDs IHS. Their shared academic journey is driven by curiosity, purpose, and a commitment to improving lives in their home country, Indonesia. While conducting their research, they are also raising their daughter and adapting to life in the Netherlands. Balancing family life, academic responsibilities, and life abroad requires adaptability and focus, something Issa manages with her determination and, occasionally, a much-needed iced coffee.
Reflecting on her own path, Issa encourages future researchers to spend some time working before starting a PhD. Gaining real-world experience, she explains, can offer valuable insights into how things are done in practice, providing new perspectives that can make research more grounded and meaningful. doing this together at IHS.
Curious to learn more about Issa's research? Make sure you register our upcoming online panel on 4 November: PhD perspectives at IHS!
