Facilitating the Smooth Migration of Inhabitants of Atoll Countries to Artificial Islands: Case of the Maldives

Daisuke Sasaki (), Akiko Sakamoto, Aishath Laila, Ahmed Aslam, Shuxian Feng, Takuto Kaku, Takumi Sasaki, Natsuya Shinomura and Mikiyasu Nakayama
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Daisuke Sasaki: International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, 468-1 Aoba Aramaki, Aoba, Sendai 980-8572, Japan
Akiko Sakamoto: Global Infrastructure Fund Research Foundation, Tokyo 105-7105, Japan
Aishath Laila: Strategic Management, Housing Development Corporation, Hulhumalé 23000, Maldives
Ahmed Aslam: Strategic Management, Housing Development Corporation, Hulhumalé 23000, Maldives
Shuxian Feng: Global Infrastructure Fund Research Foundation, Tokyo 105-7105, Japan
Takuto Kaku: Global Infrastructure Fund Research Foundation, Tokyo 105-7105, Japan
Takumi Sasaki: Global Infrastructure Fund Research Foundation, Tokyo 105-7105, Japan
Natsuya Shinomura: Global Infrastructure Fund Research Foundation, Tokyo 105-7105, Japan
Mikiyasu Nakayama: Global Infrastructure Fund Research Foundation, Tokyo 105-7105, Japan

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 11, 1-13

Abstract: The vulnerability of atoll countries to sea level rise underscores the pivotal connection between climate change and migration. This study examines the multifaceted challenges faced by such countries, including land loss, economic disruption, water contamination, and increased vulnerability to extreme weather events, and potential adaptation strategies, such as migration to developed countries and other islands, land reclamation, and floating platform development. The situation of the Maldives, particularly the creation of the artificial island of Hulhumalé, is explored as a case study. Hulhumalé is designed to alleviate congestion while addressing concerns about rising sea levels. This study employed a questionnaire survey and analyzed the data using importance analysis of permutation features and structural equation modeling following the Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney tests. The results revealed that the key factors influencing resident satisfaction after migration were clean housing, resilience to natural disasters, sports facilities, and environmental quality. Adaptation strategies must be tailored to each country’s unique circumstances, considering the interconnectedness of environmental and socioeconomic factors in addressing climate-induced migration. Considering Hulhumalé as a model for climate change adaptation, concerted global action is necessary to mitigate the impacts of climate change and ensure the security and well-being of vulnerable populations.

Keywords: artificial island; climate change adaptation; Hulhumalé; the Republic of Maldives; migration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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