About Us

Spatial Ethnography is a collaborative network that brings together researchers, academics, and practitioners from various disciplines to understand space through an ethnographic approach. This collaboration combines spatial and geospatial studies with cultural and social understanding that emphasizes the importance of life experiences, narratives, and human relationships in spatial dynamics.


This initiative began with a dynamic mapping project of Pasar Mardika in Ambon—an important socio-economic and cultural space for preserving and strengthening community ties—led by Dr. Abellia Anggi Wardani and Dr. techn. Dudy Darmawan Wijaya, S.T., M.Sc.

Who are we?

We are a collaborative team from Universitas Indonesia (Faculty of Humanities) and Institut Teknologi Bandung (Faculty of Earth Sciences and Technology) who work and conduct interdisciplinary research by combining humanities approaches, spatial technology, and ethnographic methods to understand spatial dynamics in society in a more contextual and inclusive manner.

What do we do?

We study public spaces, particularly traditional markets, as places of social, economic, and cultural encounter. Our main focus is to see how space is produced through daily interactions, and how it can reflect, and even nurture, social relations, especially in areas vulnerable to social problems.

Using the case study of Pasar Mardika in Ambon, we examine the role of markets as spaces for social reconciliation through various approaches ranging from ethnography to mapping technology.

How do we do it?

This research was conducted collaboratively by combining four main approaches:

  1. Participatory Ethnography

Direct observation, in-depth interviews, and Focus Group Discussions (FGD) with merchants and customers to understand the narrative and social dynamics directly.

  1. Dynamic Spatial Mapping

Using 3D mapping technology (Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing, GNSS) to record and analyse market movements and activities in real time.

  1. Space Syntax Analysis

Analysing the spatial structure of the market to understand accessibility, connectivity, and the potential for spatial interaction between areas.

  1. Gender-Based Spatio-Temporal Analysis

Examining differences in behavioral patterns, risk perceptions, and spatial preferences between men and women as an effort to support more inclusive public spaces.