Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
Date of Degree
5-2019
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.A.
Program
Liberal Studies
Advisor
David Halle
Subject Categories
Art and Materials Conservation | Art Education | Art Practice | Biodiversity | Caribbean Languages and Societies | Civic and Community Engagement | Community-Based Research | Contemporary Art | Cultural Heritage Law | Cultural History | Cultural Resource Management and Policy Analysis | Digital Humanities | Environmental Law | Environmental Policy | Environmental Studies | Historic Preservation and Conservation | Immigration Law | Income Distribution | Land Use Law | Museum Studies | Other Arts and Humanities | Other International and Area Studies | Other Languages, Societies, and Cultures | Place and Environment | Social and Cultural Anthropology
Keywords
intangible heritage, biocultural knowledge, hurricane, environmental migration, digital repository, cultural stakeholders
Abstract
This case study introduces an arts camp methodology of engaging communities in identifying their key cultural heritage features, thus serving as a meta study. It presents original research based on field studies on the climate-vulnerable Caribbean island of Barbuda during 2017 and 2018. Its Valued Cultural Elements survey, enabling precise identification of key tangible and intangible art forms and biocultural practices, may serve as a basis for further studies. Such approaches may facilitate future research or planning as climate-vulnerable communities harness Local or Indigenous Knowledge for purposes of biocultural heritage preservation, or towards adaptation or relocation. I report on findings in which participants identified key cultural heritage elements through drawings, paintings, sculpture, questionnaires and interviews. In this study focused on Barbuda both before and after Hurricane Irma, youth and adult stakeholders identified place-based cultural values, biocultural traditions and legal structures that they wish to preserve.
Keywords: cultural heritage, climate change, Barbuda, art, environmental vulnerability, Local Knowledge, stakeholder involvement, adaptation, culture, Caribbean, documentation, Small Island Developing State
Recommended Citation
Lerski, Martha B., "Cultural Heritage Preservation in the Context of Climate Change Adaptation or Relocation: Barbuda as a Case Study" (2019). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/3176
Included in
Art and Materials Conservation Commons, Art Education Commons, Art Practice Commons, Biodiversity Commons, Caribbean Languages and Societies Commons, Civic and Community Engagement Commons, Community-Based Research Commons, Contemporary Art Commons, Cultural Heritage Law Commons, Cultural History Commons, Cultural Resource Management and Policy Analysis Commons, Digital Humanities Commons, Environmental Law Commons, Environmental Policy Commons, Environmental Studies Commons, Historic Preservation and Conservation Commons, Immigration Law Commons, Income Distribution Commons, Land Use Law Commons, Museum Studies Commons, Other Arts and Humanities Commons, Other International and Area Studies Commons, Other Languages, Societies, and Cultures Commons, Place and Environment Commons, Social and Cultural Anthropology Commons