Love Thy Neighbour: Social Benefits and Port-City Relationships

Toby Roberts, Ian Williams, John Preston, Nick Clarke, Melinda Odum and Stefanie O’Gorman
Additional contact information
Toby Roberts: Infrastructure Group, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
Ian Williams: Infrastructure Group, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
John Preston: Transportation Group, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
Nick Clarke: Ramboll UK Ltd., Southampton SO40 7HT, UK
Melinda Odum: Ramboll UK Ltd., Southampton SO40 7HT, UK
Stefanie O’Gorman: Ramboll UK Ltd., Edinburgh EH2 3AH, UK

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 23, 1-18

Abstract: As awareness of the negative externalities created by ports increases, and the perceived local benefits decrease, ports must find new ways to improve the local noneconomic benefits they provide if they are to obtain local support. This global survey collected data from 51 ports in 26 countries. The results highlight a recognition by port authorities that ports face increasing pressure from local residents to reduce their negative impacts and that they should seek to improve the public perception towards the port by increasing local benefits. At present, port information and social media (81%), port events (67%) and education (63%) are the most adopted options. There is a lack of evidence that these measures are effective in improving local perceptions. Maritime museums and public access show a positive association with increasing local awareness of the benefits a port provides, despite their lower levels of adoption (45%). Port centres are the least adopted option at present (29%) and can be expected to increase significantly, with a 43% increase anticipated between numbers of current and expected future centres. Education (14%), public access (13%) and maritime museums (4.5%) also show increases in levels of interest. Maritime museums and public access should be pursued as proven, effective options for improving local perceptions of ports, whilst port centres may provide a new focal point for port-related social and cultural activities.

Keywords: port cities; sustainability; social benefits; sustainable development; maritime museums; port centres (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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