A slum or informal settlements is a contiguous settlement where the inhabitants are characterized as having inadequate housing and basic services. This is an urban phenomenon, which also determinant of urban poverty. In fact, most of the urban poor live in the informal settlements, which was enormously increased by the process of urbanization. The difficulties of the community of urban informal settlements escaping from the poverty are mostly caused by limitation of community organization in giving access for community inclusion, security and empowerment. Community organization plays an important role in empowerment of informal settlements, related to their capacity in organized themselves in planning and development. Levels of community capacity can be measures by several characteristics such as leadership' Citizen participation, resources, skills. Social and inter-organizational networks, sense of community, community power, community understanding of history. Community capacity is a basic potency for human settlements development and planning. This research assess the community capacity in 3 kelurahan in Surakarta (Balong, Jebres, and Tipes) by using in depth interviews to the key persons. The results of the research shows that character of community capacity is significantly indicates the level and capacity of community in planning and human settlements development
Keywords: informal settlements, community, empowerment; planning