Climate change-induced relocation dilemma between preserving cultural heritage and embracing modern infrastructure: insights from Fijian coastal villages

Gatiso, Tsegaye T. and Greenhalgh, Suzie and Korovulavula, Isoa and Fong, Teddy and Radikedike, Pio (2025) Climate change-induced relocation dilemma between preserving cultural heritage and embracing modern infrastructure: insights from Fijian coastal villages. Climatic Change, 178 (131). pp. 1-24. ISSN 0165-0009

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Abstract

The Pacific Island nation of Fiji, renowned for its cultural heritage, is facing unprecedented challenges due to climate change. Rising sea levels and extreme weather events are
threatening Fiji's cultural heritage. Despite the profound significance of cultural heritage
in Fiji, both international and national discussions on climate change-induced losses and
damages tend to focus predominantly on economic aspects, often neglecting the cultural
and social dimensions. To understand how local communities balance cultural heritage
preservation and other socio-economic benefits, we employed the choice experiment technique combined with face- to-face interviews. Conducted in ten coastal villages, the research engaged 100 participants who evaluated 16 hypothetical relocation scenarios and
rated the importance of different dimensions of cultural heritage. The findings revealed
that cultural heritage emerged as a critical dimension of community life, with churches,
fishing grounds, community ties, and place attachments being highly valued. The choice
experiment results uncovered that there was a significant heterogeneity in participants'
views, especially concerning the relocation of burial grounds. Improvement in infrastructure, particularly road connectivity, was consistently favoured, while the proximity of new
villages to the old locations (i.e., place attachment) played a crucial role in relocation
scenario selection. Participants were willing to accept relocation to distant locations if
the relocation scenarios involve quality roads and/or a kindergarten. Intriguingly, participants demonstrated a willingness to contribute more labour under favourable relocation
scenarios, which deviates from the conventional economic theory that postulates labour
contributions create disutility. The willingness to contribute more labour in our experiment
is likely driven by cultural norms and values surrounding communal labour and a strong
desire for ownership of the newly established village. These insights underscore the need
for holistic climate change adaptation strategies that are not only resilient but also culturally sensitive and community centric

Item Type:	Journal Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Climate change · Adaptation · Relocation · Choice experiment · Cultural heritage · Fiji · Pacific region
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
Divisions:	Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development (PACE-SD)
Depositing User:	Isoa Korovulavula
Date Deposited:	07 Aug 2025 03:26
Last Modified:	07 Aug 2025 03:26
URI:	https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/15048

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