Strategies for addressing conflicts arising from blue growth initiatives: insights from three case studies in South Africa

IF 2.2 Q3 ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
Merle Sowman, Philile Mbatha, Johanna von Holdt
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Abstract

Abstract South Africa has vigorously embraced the concept of the ‘blue economy’ and is aggressively pursuing a blue growth strategy to expand the ocean economy, create jobs, and alleviate poverty. However, many of these ‘blue initiatives’ are leading to conflicts amongst various stakeholders with different histories, relationships with resources and areas, worldviews, and values. Investment in the ocean economy is being prioritized by government and planning, environmental assessment, and decision-making processes are being fast-tracked. Consequently, historical inequities as well as environmental and social justice considerations are not being given due consideration. Communities are not being effectively consulted. This has resulted in tensions and conflicts amongst proponents of these projects and local communities living in areas affected by these initiatives. We examine the drivers of conflict and then explore the strategies that local communities and their social partners have employed in these case studies to challenge contentious developments, defend coastal and marine areas, and make their voices heard. The cases involve conflicts over air quality in an expanding marine industrial zone at Saldanha Bay, prospecting and mining applications in the vicinity of the Olifants Estuary in the Western Cape, and the expansion of the Richard’s Bay Port, mining activities, and conservation initiatives in KwaZulu-Natal. The barriers and potential opportunities to opening up deliberative spaces, shifting values and views, and co-producing knowledge, in contexts that are characterised by structural inequality, poverty, and power asymmetries, are discussed.

Abstract Image

解决蓝色增长倡议引发的冲突的战略:来自南非三个案例研究的见解
南非积极采纳“蓝色经济”的概念,积极推行蓝色增长战略,以扩大海洋经济、创造就业机会和减轻贫困。然而,许多这些“蓝色倡议”导致不同利益相关者之间的冲突,这些利益相关者有着不同的历史,与资源和地区的关系,世界观和价值观。政府正在优先考虑对海洋经济的投资,规划、环境评估和决策过程正在快速进行。因此,历史上的不平等以及环境和社会正义的考虑没有得到适当的考虑。社区没有得到有效的咨询。这导致了这些项目的支持者与受这些倡议影响地区的当地社区之间的紧张和冲突。我们考察了冲突的驱动因素,然后探讨了当地社区及其社会伙伴在这些案例研究中采用的策略,以挑战有争议的发展,捍卫沿海和海洋地区,并发出自己的声音。这些案件涉及在萨尔达尼亚湾扩大海洋工业区的空气质量冲突,在西开普省奥利凡特河口附近的勘探和采矿应用,以及夸祖鲁-纳塔尔省理查德湾港口的扩建,采矿活动和保护倡议。在以结构不平等、贫困和权力不对称为特征的背景下,讨论了开放审议空间、转变价值观和观点以及共同生产知识的障碍和潜在机会。
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来源期刊
Maritime Studies
Maritime Studies ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES-
CiteScore
4.90
自引率
11.80%
发文量
37
期刊介绍: Maritime Studies is an international peer-reviewed journal on the social dimensions of coastal and marine issues throughout the world. The journal is a venue for theoretical and empirical research relevant to a wide range of academic social science disciplines, including anthropology, sociology, geography, history and political science. Space is especially given to develop academic concepts and debate. We invite original research papers, reviews and viewpoints and welcome proposals for special issues that make a distinctive contribution to contemporary discussion around maritime and coastal use, development and governance. The journal provides a rigorous but constructive review process and rapid publication, and is accessible to new researchers, including postgraduate students and early career academics.
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