Aireen Grace Andal is a scholar working on Urban Studies, Urban Spaces, and Children’s Geographies. She obtained her PhDs from Ural Federal University, Russia and Macquarie University, Australia. She’s a part of AIIOC-Southeast Asia Neighborhood Network (SEANNET) joint fellowship that was initiated in 2024.
Her projects in Surabaya focus on Kampung Plampitan, Peneleh, in Central Surabaya. Famously known as a heritage kampung, Plampitan holds significant historical and cultural value for the city. Its kampung status, nestled within the heart of metropolitan Central Surabaya, often creates tension for its residents, resulting in ambivalence in their daily lives. Central to this backdrop is the children’s culture in Plampitan. The kampung playgrounds in Plampitan challenge conventional spatial concepts, with “sacred” spaces such as colonial-era graveyards and confined areas like narrow alleyways serving as heterotopic sites where children can theatrically express their imagination. However, rapid urban expansion threatens the preservation of these spaces. In response to this impending loss, Aireen has created a digital platform that functions as a hub for Plampitan residents to share their unique perspectives. This work is grounded in both netnographic and ethnographic research. Aireen’s projects in Plampitan can be accessed here:https://urbanfuturings.webnode.page/