Coastal Clean-Up, Optimization of Potential, and Coastal Education at Sepinggan Airport Beach, Gunung Bahagia, Balikpapan

Abstract

Beaches serve not only as recreational spaces and sources of livelihoods, but also as natural barriers that help maintain the balance of marine ecosystems. However, increased coastal human activity is often not matched by sufficient environmental awareness. One recurring issue is the accumulation of waste along beaches, which degrades environmental quality, damages aesthetics, and disturbs marine ecosystem balance. Pantai Bandara in RT 40, Kelurahan Gunung Bahagia, Balikpapan, offers significant potential as both a public space and a local tourism destination due to its proximity to residential areas and ease of access. Nevertheless, inadequate cleanliness, underutilized coastal potential, and lack of proper public facilities remain urgent challenges. In response, this community service program led by academics from Institut Teknologi Kalimantan integrates Coastal Clean-up, optimization of coastal potential, and improvement of public facilities. The program aims to raise awareness about maintaining beach cleanliness and the coastal ecosystem, tap into social, cultural, and economic opportunities, and provide comfortable, safe public amenities. It emphasizes sustainability through community empowerment in environmental management. It is expected that a synergy between the community, local government, and the university will emerge, resulting in a clean, healthy, and functional coastal environment, thereby enhancing the quality of life in Pantai Bandara RT 40.