Coastal Heritage and How Resilience Can Manifest in The Face Of Change...

In the coming weeks, UW master's students will defend their theses. The subjects are varied and the students are from both master's programs, Coastal Marine Management and Coastal Communities and Regional Development. The defenses are accessible to everyone through zoom links but they are also open to the public, at the University Centre of the Westfjords in Ísafjörður.

Student: Ela Keegan
Date & time: September 13th at 8:30
Thesis title: Coastal Heritage and How Resilience Can Manifest in The Face Of Change: A Case Study Using Social Arts Practices in Rakiura, Aoeatora/New Zealand
Program: Coastal Communities and Regional Development
Zoom link: https://eu01web.zoom.us/j/61113812289

Abstract: Coastal heritage represents a community’s deep-rooted, tangible and intangible connection to all aspects of the coastal environment. This connection centres around historic and contemporary interactions with and value of coastal living that is passed from generation to generation. However, human development and climate change, along with associated rising sea levels and coastal erosion, threaten coastal heritage around the world. Loss or change of this heritage causes multi-dimensional impacts on a community’s sense of place and resilience. Preserving and fostering community resilience in response to these changes in coastal heritage requires place-based inquiry that enables community-driven solutions.
This thesis examines these issues through a study on the rural island community of Rakiura, Aotearoa/New Zealand. The research investigates the community’s valuation of, perceived threats to, and future visions for the island’s coastal heritage. Additionally, it explores how community resilience can manifest in the face of changes to Rakiura’s coastal heritage. A mixed-methods approach and action-based research were employed to examine these topics. The action-based research included designing and conducting a participatory social art workshop focusing on coastal heritage values and creating a community artwork. Data was gathered through the social arts workshop, semi-structured interviews and a focus group.
This thesis found that the coastal heritage valued by the Rakiura community includes the historic and contemporary traditions, proximity, and interconnection gained by living in an abundant island ecosystem. The community’s internal proximity and interconnection with nature, fosters traditions of self-sufficiency and local stewardship. Resilience, in this context, can be manifested through community involvement in local decision-making and preservation of community culture (including centrality of the school, continued appreciation of the environment, and a proactive volunteering culture). This thesis suggests that approaching coastal heritage change through adaptive management that engages transformative continuity and inclusive innovation can manifest local resilience on Rakiura.

Defense schedule for this defense season: