South Asian Journal of Social Studies and Economics

As one of the world cultural heritage designated by UNESCO, Subak in Bali experienced various challenges in the framework of its existence. Subak is recognized as a traditional Balinese agricultural institution based on local water management. The risks that subak must face when in the circle of international tourism practices because Bali is a tourist destination that is very reliable by the Government of Indonesia in order to obtain foreign exchange. The purpose of this article is to reveal the problems faced by as a local genious irrigation system. Especially related to spatial function changes that occur in Northern Kuta tourism area, Bali, by identifying the distribution of subak, composition, and typology of existing actors related to their interest in water, sub-urban development patterns, and subak alienation practices. Spatial approach adopted to determine spatial changes that occur ranging from agriculture to tourism. Data collection based on spatial analysis with GIS application, observation, interview, and focus group discussion. Spatial changes were found to be caused by the penetration of accommodation development, accessibility, and communal facilities. This situation occurs because of the limited tourism space in the center of tourism areas or tourism business areas (TBD) such as Kuta and Legian. There has been a transformation of spatial functions: from agricultural functions to cultural-service functions. The change in spatial planning indicates a tendency to shift the socio-cultural community around Kuta Tourism Area from agrarian to sub-urban characteristics. Thus, it has an impact on the existence of subak as the last bastion of sustainable tourism development in Bali.