Creative Research Journal

CR Journal Vol. 12 No. 01 June 2026 comprises seven articles covering various sectors with the following titles: (1) Education and Economic Paradox: Analysis of Determinants of Female Labor Force Participation in West Java (2020-2024); (2) Behind Capital Flows: Examining ff Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Domestic Direct Investment (DDI) Impacts on Unemployment in West Java; (3) Spatial Analysis of Village-Level Prevalence of Undernourishment in Sukabumi Regency; (4) Tourism Development Strategy of Kujang Sapasang Tower and Al Kamil Mosque in The Jatigede Area Using an Integrated Approach; (5) Structuring The Area Around Soreang–Pasirkoja Toll Gate; (6) Modeling Urban Structure and Activity Through The Clockboard Zoning Approach: A Case Study of Cekungan Bandung Area and (7) Analysis of Spreading and Backwash Effect Patterns in Exploring Growth Pole Theory (Case Study: Bandung Basin Urban Area)

In the first article, the results reveal an educational paradox where RLS has a significant negative effect on female participation (-5.196), indicating a "discouraged worker" effect or high selectivity among educated women. Conversely, economic growth (PDRB) positively drives participation (19.665), while the minimum wage (UMK) shows no significant impact. These findings suggest that creating formal sector jobs that match higher education levels is crucial for West Java's development. Then, the second article show that DDI has a significant negative effect on the OUR, indicating its role in labor absorption. Conversely, FDI has a significant positive effect, implying its capital-intensive nature and potential skill mismatch. Economic growth is proven to significantly reduce the OUR, while HDI paradoxically shows a positive effect. The main conclusion is that not all investments impact the labor market equally. The policy implication is a needed shift from investment quantity to quality, prioritizing labor-intensive domestic investments and aligning human resource development with industry needs.

In the third article, the findings indicate a Moran’s Index value of 0.50, demonstrating a significant spatial clustering of PoU, with hotspot areas concentrated in the northwestern and southern regions. The correlation analysis produced a coefficient of –0.38, suggesting a negative association between PoU and IDM. Hotspot patterns in developed and independent villages were predominantly located in the southern region. These results underscore the presence of interregional linkages associated with elevated PoU levels in Sukabumi Regency and highlight the need for more targeted development policies, particularly those aimed at strengthening food security through improved governance to enhance human capital quality. Next, the fourth article, findings show that the Kujang Sapasang Tower and Al Kamil Mosque have advantages in terms of cultural and architectural uniqueness and institutional support, but on the other hand, they have weaknesses and threats that could shift their existence if no strategic steps are taken by the Sumedang Regency Government as the main manager. Based on the analysis results, it is evident that transformative efforts are needed to enhance the development of the Jatigede tourism destination, particularly the Kujang Sapasang Tower and Al Kamil Mosque.

In the fifth article, the findings indicate that the area can be organised through a three-zone segmentation strategy—gateway zone, core corridor, and supporting corridor—supported by design parameters such as regulated building setback lines, a minimum 4-meter inclusive pedestrian pathway, strengthened streetscape elements, and the integration of informal activities through a spatio-temporal approach. This concept promotes the live, work, and play principle and reinforces comfort and image attributes to enhance public space quality and strengthen the area’s identity as the gateway to the capital of Bandung Regency. The study provides an operational basis for preparing urban design guidelines and integrating growth control mechanisms into local spatial planning documents. Then, the sixth article show the maximum NDBI value reaches 0.552 and is concentrated in the metropolitan core, while the basin-scale average NDBI remains negative, reflecting the dominance of non-built-up areas. The highest NTL intensity was observed in Bandung City, with an average of 29.56 nW/cm²·sr and a density of 117.67/km², followed by a sharp decline toward peripheral areas. Bivariate NDBI–NTL classification across 45 clockboard zones is dominated by Transition and Dominant Developing Sectors, while the Core Sector accounts for only 26.67% of zones, indicating a polycentric, asymmetric, corridor-based metropolitan growth pattern. Last, the seventh article, demonstrates that the dominance of Bandung City as the core triggers a backwash effect that weakens the hinterland areas, specifically causing a decline in the economic ranking of Cimahi City and West Bandung Regency due to resource migration and the impact of the pandemic. These findings indicate a monopoly of the growth pole. Therefore, strategies to establish secondary growth centers and improve regional accessibility are required to promote a more balanced distribution of development.

Happy reading CR Journal Vol. 12 No. 01 June 2026, and may it be beneficial.