<![CDATA[ABSTRACT Post-mining lands are synonymous with ecological degradation and institutional gridlock. Many studies have shown that disputes over land ownership often make post-mining lands subject to destructive exploitation. In contrast to this pattern, this article analyzes the public space transformation anomaly in Danau Pading, where communities independently transformed former mining lands into tourism areas. This qualitative research used purposive sampling across four actor clusters. Data accuracy was tested through source, method, and time triangulation. Data analysis adapted a Constructivist Grounded Theory pproach using constant comparative analysis to inductively categorize information. Theories of Olson, Ostrom, and North were positioned as sensitizing concepts providing an initial foundation to openly explore empirical findings without prescriptive theoretical constraint. Results indicate that spatial production during initiation was driven by a privileged group leveraging social capital to dismantle latent group apathy. However, spatial resilience proved vulnerable during stagnation. Demographic transitions increased opportunity costs, triggering pioneer withdrawal, while the absence of monitoring mechanisms spawned free-riders causing asset degradation. The study’s novelty lies in showing that when state intervention triggers institutional rigidity through the compulsory imposition of local revenue levies (retribusi), spatial sustainability is rescued by the flexibility of informal constraints through local actors’ adaptive tactics in policy gray areas. As an operational prescription, local governments are recommended to institutionalize this flexibility through formal cooperation agreements (PKS) featuring a retribution-free grace period clause.ABSTRAK Lahan pascatambang identik dengan kerusakan ekologis dan kebuntuan institusional. Banyak kajian menunjukkan bahwa sengketa kepemilikan lahan seringkali membuat kawasan pascatambang terdorong ke eksploitasi destruktif. Berbeda dengan pola tersebut, artikel ini menganalisis anomali transformasi ruang publik Danau Pading, di mana masyarakat swadaya merekayasa lahan eks-tambang menjadi kawasan pariwisata. Penelitian kualitatif ini menggunakan sampel purposif pada empat klaster aktor. Akurasi data diuji melalui triangulasi sumber, metode, dan waktu. Analisis data mengadaptasi Constructivist Grounded Theory melalui constant comparative analysis guna mengategorisasikan informasi secara induktif. Teori Olson, Ostrom, dan North diposisikan sebagai konsep pensensitisasi yang menjadi landasan awal untuk mengeksplorasi temuan empiris secara terbuka tanpa kendala teori bersifat reskriptif. Hasilnya, produksi ruang fase inisiasi digerakkan oleh kelompok perintis melalui pengerahan modal sosial untuk meruntuhkan apatisme kelompok laten. Namun, resiliensi ruang terbukti rentan pada fase stagnasi. Transisi demografis pengelola meningkatkan biaya peluang, memicu mundurnya perintis, sementara ketiadaan mekanisme pengawasan melahirkan penumpang gelap yang mendegradasi aset. Kebaruan kajian terletak pada temuan bahwa ketika intervensi negara memicu kekakuan institusi akibat paksaan retribusi, kelangsungan ruang diselamatkan oleh kelenturan aturan informal melalui taktik adaptif aktor lokal di ruang abu-abu kebijakan. Sebagai preskripsi operasional, pemerintah daerah direkomendasikan melembagakan kelenturan ini secara formal melalui Perjanjian Kerja Sama (PKS) berklausul masa tenggang (grace period) bebas retribusi.]]>
