THE MEANING OF ACCESS AS A LIFELINE FOR COMMUNITIES IN VERY UNDERDEVELOPED VILLAGES IN SOUTH NIAS REGENCY

Abstract

The development gap between regions in archipelagic areas such as South Nias Regency remains a fundamental problem rooted in limited physical and social accessibility. In many severely underdeveloped villages, access is not only defined as the existence of roads, transportation, or communication networks, but as a ‘lifeline’ that determines the continuity of education, health, economy, and social relations within the community. This study aims to understand the meaning of access from the perspective of local communities and to identify how limited access affects the structure of socio-economic life in island regions. The approach used is qualitative-inductive through in-depth interviews and field observations in 16 villages with different geographical characteristics in South Nias Regency. Data analysis was conducted through reduction, presentation, and thematic conclusion drawing following the Miles and Huberman model. The results of the study show that access is seen as a basic need that determines the continuity of daily activities of the community. When access is cut off due to geographical conditions or extreme weather, all economic activities come to a halt, education is disrupted, health services are difficult to access, and the community is forced to postpone the fulfilment of urgent needs. Access is also understood as a symbol of the dignity and independence of the village, in line with the practice of mutual cooperation among residents in repairing roads or building emergency bridges when government assistance is not immediately available. These findings reveal that the top-down approach to development has not fully captured the spatial and social realities of island communities. Therefore, contextual infrastructure planning that is adaptive to geographical conditions and based on the lived experiences of local communities is needed to ensure inclusive and sustainable development in island regions such as South Nias.