Political Ecology, Island Tourism Planning, and Climate Change Adaptation on Boracay, Philippines

• Main Authors: Virgilio Maguigad, David King, Alison Cottrell
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Island Dynamics 2015-12-01
• Series: Urban Island Studies
• Subjects: Climate change adaptation; island tourism planning; Philippines; political ecology; tourism urbanisation
• Online Access: http://urbanislandstudies.org/UIS-1/Maguigadetal-2.html

This research paper presents a case study of the island of Boracay, Philippines, utilising a political ecology approach to climate change adaptation. The research finds that the island’s political ecology, especially the relationships among stakeholders, is strained. This creates challenges for various urban planning processes that require good working relationships. Climate change is expected to highlight these divisions as interactions among stakeholders (fulfilling zoning ordinance obligations, climate change adaptation- compliant land use plans, etc.) are dependent on good stakeholder relations. Stakeholders realise that climate change is real and that sea level rise is already challenging existing zoning ordinances on urban beach development. However, this realisation must be integrated into political decision-making processes involving tourism stakeholders. The research also shows that the political ecology approach and methodology is applicable to studying the dynamics of climate change adaptation and tourism urbanisation on small islands.