Author: Myriem Alnet and Camille Salgues
Source: Espace Populations Sociétés
Link: https://sciencespo.hal.science/hal-05350605/
Abstract
Based on the case of Peng Chau, a small island of 1 km2 and 6,300 inhabitants belonging to the Hong Kong archipelago, the article examines the way in which people and the island space are engaged in a contingent and fragile relationship. The first, historical, part of the article highlights the general trend towards standardisation of the population and space. The making of present-day relationships between residents and their environment is shown in the second part.
Three ‘items’ were the subject of our study (through participant observation, interviews and mapping): chairs placed in the street, papaya trees and local T-shirts. The article considers the types of goods involved and the way in which they contribute to the production of the common and the local.
It shows the relevance of looking at the island level – between the individual actor and the wider political community – and of taking into account the specific qualities of the local population, in terms of age, social background and ethnicity, in order to analyse the practical and cultural relationships that are forged with the marine environment.
The article, written by two authors, reflects the exchanges between the academic world and local community stakeholders. It borrows from a variety of disciplines, including geography, anthropology, urban planning and economics.