THE RIVER PLANNING BASED ON LOCAL WISDOM (CASE STUDY: UPPER REACHES OF SUNGAI DELI MEDAN, NORTH SUMATERA)

Abstract

The space orientation of Malay people in Medan, Tanah Deli Sumatera Utara is referred to the waters territorial which known as the river. Thus, Malay society in North Sumatera has the basic character to build villages in living residence which follow the river banks. Based on documentation of Sumatera Office of River Territories (BWSS), floods occurs annually Human behavior is mostly cause this occurrences. This research will reveals the value of local wisdom, that is Malay oral literature using qualitative method with reader interpretation approach (reception) and supports by pragmatic approach. The research shows that there are lack of awareness from the people who lives along the river bank area (DAS) Deli in understanding the mutual relationship (both physically and mentally) between themselves and the river. The understanding of the values of Malay literature as local wisdom, both planning and building the awareness of the people toward DAS Deli can be useful for flood prevention. Those values have dynamic strength toward the people attitudes because each value is natural and sacred. Local wisdom is something strategic because it can be used as identity building which inherent from birth. The emotional bonding of the society with it is very strong and can build confidence and dignity of the society.

Keywords: River planning, Local wisdom, and Deli river bank area (DAS)