Toponymic Approach to Bicycle Lane Naming in Indonesia's New Capital: Merging Local Language and Cultural Heritage

Authors

  • Sastri Sunarti

    Research Organization for Archaeology, Language, and Literature, BRIN (Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional), Jakarta 10340, Indonesia
  • Agus Iswanto

    Research Organization for Archaeology, Language, and Literature, BRIN (Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional), Jakarta 10340, Indonesia
  • Sariah

    Research Organization for Archaeology, Language, and Literature, BRIN (Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional), Jakarta 10340, Indonesia
  • Djoko Prijo Utomo

    Research Organization for Energy and Manufacture, BRIN (Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional), Serpong, Tangerang Selatan 15314, Indonesia
  • Yustina Niken Raharina Hendra

    Research Organization for Energy and Manufacture, BRIN (Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional), Serpong, Tangerang Selatan 15314, Indonesia
  • Ninawati Syahrul

    Research Organization for Archaeology, Language, and Literature, BRIN (Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional), Jakarta 10340, Indonesia
  • Dede Hidayatullah

    Research Organization for Archaeology, Language, and Literature, BRIN (Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional), Jakarta 10340, Indonesia
  • Harits Fadlly

    Research Organization for Archaeology, Language, and Literature, BRIN (Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional), Jakarta 10340, Indonesia
  • Saefuddin

    Research Organization for Archaeology, Language, and Literature, BRIN (Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional), Jakarta 10340, Indonesia
  • Ade Mulyanah

    Research Organization for Archaeology, Language, and Literature, BRIN (Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional), Jakarta 10340, Indonesia
  • Andri Restyadi

    Research Organization for Archaeology, Language, and Literature, BRIN (Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional), Jakarta 10340, Indonesia
  • Jatmiko

    Research Organization for Archaeology, Language, and Literature, BRIN (Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional), Jakarta 10340, Indonesia
  • Nandang Rusnandar

    Research Organization for Archaeology, Language, and Literature, BRIN (Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional), Jakarta 10340, Indonesia
  • I Made Budiasa

    Research Organization for Archaeology, Language, and Literature, BRIN (Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional), Jakarta 10340, Indonesia
  • Muhamad Rosadi

    Research Organization for Archaeology, Language, and Literature, BRIN (Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional), Jakarta 10340, Indonesia
  • Atisah

    Research Organization for Archaeology, Language, and Literature, BRIN (Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional), Jakarta 10340, Indonesia
  • Anik Farida

    Research Center for Public Policy, BRIN (Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional), Jakarta 10340, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i8.9778
Received: 29 April 2025 | Revised: 13 June 2025 | Accepted: 25 June 2025 | Published Online: 15 August 2025

Abstract

This article examines the role of toponymy in naming bicycle lanes in Indonesia's new capital, Nusantara (IKN), with a focus on preserving and empowering local languages and intangible cultural heritage, particularly among indigenous communities such as the Paser. As IKN aspires to become a smart, green, and cultured city, the promotion of non-fossil fuel transportation, including bicycles, requires thoughtful and culturally sensitive naming practices. However, interdisciplinary studies that combine transportation planning, language, and cultural heritage are still lacking. Using a qualitative approach, this study argues that incorporating local languages and cultural values into the naming of bicycle lanes not only functions as a tool of collective memory but also strengthens local identity and cultural sustainability. Furthermore, this article highlights the importance of balancing local languages with the national language, Bahasa Indonesia, in public toponymy to ensure both cultural representation and national unity. Such integration supports an inclusive urban identity while also recognizing and respecting the diversity of Indonesia's cultural landscape. By embedding local linguistic and cultural elements into the naming system, the physical space of IKN can serve as a living reflection of its people's heritage, positioning the capital not only as an administrative center but also as a beacon of cultural identity and continuity.

Keywords:

Toponymy; Indonesia New Capital City; Local Language; Intangible Cultural Heritage; Bicycle Lanes

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How to Cite

Sunarti, S., Iswanto, A., Sariah, Utomo, D. P., Hendra, Y. N. R., Syahrul, N., Hidayatullah, D., Fadlly, H., Saefuddin, Mulyanah, A., Restyadi, A., Jatmiko, Rusnandar, N., Budiasa, I. M., Rosadi, M., Atisah, & Farida, A. (2025). Toponymic Approach to Bicycle Lane Naming in Indonesia’s New Capital: Merging Local Language and Cultural Heritage. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 7(8), 885–896. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i8.9778

Issue

Vol. 7 , Iss. 8 (August 2025): In progress

Article Type

Article

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Copyright © 2025 Sastri Sunarti, Agus Iswanto, Sariah, Djoko Prijo Utomo, Yustina Niken Raharina Hendra, Ninawati Syahrul, Dede Hidayatullah, Harits Fadlly, Saefuddin, Ade Mulyanah, Andri Restyadi, Jatmiko, Nandang Rusnandar, I Made Budiasa, Muhamad Rosadi, Atisah, Anik Farida

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This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.