Implementation of The Principle of Decentralization by The Cirebon Regency Government in Environmental Management (A Case Study of The Kubangdeleg Solid Waste Management Facility)

Abstract

Decentralisation in environmental management at the regional level is often positioned as a solution to align policies with local needs. However, in practice, the effectiveness of its implementation still gives rise to various problems. This study aims to examine how the principle of decentralisation is implemented in the management of the Kubangdeleg Tempat Pemrosesan Akhir Sampah (TPAS), or Final Waste Processing Site, in Cirebon Regency, while also identifying the factors that influence its effectiveness. The approach employed is a juridical-empirical approach with a descriptive-analytical orientation, which not only examines legal norms but also explores how these norms operate in practice through interviews and field observations. The results show that although the authority for environmental management has been formally delegated to the regional government, this has not been accompanied by the capacity to build a sustainable management system. TPAS management continues to operate in a reactive pattern focused on handling waste volume, rather than on systemic management. A clear gap therefore exists between what is expected by legal norms and what occurs on the ground. This condition is influenced by limited institutional capacity, weak environmental governance, insufficient inter-agency coordination, and minimal community involvement. Consequently, decentralisation in the management of the Kubangdeleg TPAS has not yet fully transitioned from the administrative to the substantive stage. This research confirms that strengthening regional capacity and improving governance are key to bridging this gap.