Tamansari area grew as a slum due to the rapid physical development of Bandung, West Java Province which has resulted in an urban fabric of shanties in the surrounding environment. It is located near commercial areas (Jalan Dago and Jalan Cihampelas streets) and 14 universities in the immediate areas that attract many new residents. The upgrading intervention area covers around 300-400 hectares along the river, with a maximum population density of 100/hectare. In the intervention area, 80% of the 250,000 inhabitants are poor and are living with very limited urban sanitation facilities and without sewage systems. Thus, wastewater is disposed of in the river, causing very low river water quality.

The upgrading programs, Cikapundung Clean River through Community Empowerment Program (2000-2005) and Fly Over Development and Resident Relocation through Community Approach (2001 2003) aimed to improve waste disposal behavior and the environmental quality of the slum area located along the Cikapundung River by implementing an inclusive approach. The policy objectives addressed by these interventions were: (1) the improvement of Tamansari’s environment quality and (2) the improvement of the welfare and life standards of Tamansari’s poor communities.

The Bandung Municipality initiated the process in 2000 Partners in the implementation of the policy are: the Province of West Java, the Ministry of Housing, the Municipality of Bandung, an environmental NGO, the Bandung Institute of Technology, Padjajaran University, and Bandung Islam University.