Arctic Ports: Local Community Development Issues

Brooks A. Kaiser*, Julia Pahl, Chris Horbel

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingBook chapterResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Climate and economic forces are both transforming Arctic communities. Restructured governance of marine transportation and community development investment should work to promote economic growth and development within frameworks that accommodate sustainable resource use and community cultures. Marine ports are vital community links and components of this infrastructure. This chapter discusses historical lessons as well as Arctic community demands initiating from resource extraction, tourism, fishing, and culture for successful port development. Decisions over both port infrastructure and industry regulation are crucial to ensure sustainable economic development and social equality while avoiding overcapitalization. We find that Arctic fisheries are currently well regulated, whereas resource extraction has the most risk of creating negative social costs for communities. Arctic marine tourism is profitable and growing, but challenges include high demand elasticity for Arctic cruises as well as imbalances in what the local population can provide to meet the highly seasonal demand. Cooperation within and across Arctic nations will be required to meet these challenges and realize important goals of Arctic port development, including social equality, conservation of living marine resources and reduction of overcapitalization.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationArctic Marine Resource and Governance Development
EditorsNiels Vestergaard, Brooks A. Kaiser, Linda Fernandez, Joan Nymand Larsen
Number of pages33
PublisherSpringer
Publication date2018
Pages185-217
ISBN (Print)978-3-319-67364-6
ISBN (Electronic)978-3-319-67365-3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018
SeriesSpringer Polar Sciences
ISSN2510-0475

Keywords

  • Arctic
  • Arctic Ports
  • Port Development
  • Community Development

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