Ports as a force for positive change? An ecosystems approach to inclusive port development

Ports, port cities and their governing bodies are faced with how to become a force for positive change. The research seeks to bridge the gap between distinct discourses on port development, spatial planning, and business-society management. It recognises that there are misconceptions about the potential contribution of ports to sustainable development, due to varied perceptions of ports. The specific conditions for achieving inclusive port development, as well as the strategic intentions, motivations, and actions of port authorities, remain unclear. Various metaphors have been used to conceptualise the function and future of ports in society.
This research aims to provide a better understanding of the conditions for inclusive port development. The thesis proposes an enriched framework that focuses on the symbiotic relationship between ports and cities, using case studies that explore the spatial, economic, social, and cultural interconnections of port territories, urban space, and coastal ecosystems. Additionally, the research examines the motivation and actionability of port governing bodies to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Building on the analyses of the four research papers and the contextual port metaphors introduced in the initial sections, the thesis introduces an alternative representation of the port and the port city as a living ecosystem. Amidst ongoing technological and societal advancements, port cities are at the forefront of change. A critical challenge facing port cities pertains to their adherence to planetary boundaries, particularly the risk of deprivation of ecosystem services.
The ecosystem is the common ground that provides both strength and opportunities for new business models, requiring stakeholders to take collective responsibility for resource use in harmony with the ecosystem, rather than treating it as a public problem or an externality. This necessitates the adoption of new governance approaches rooted in a fresh set of principles. Port governing bodies are urged to assume leadership roles and involve the business community in collaborative action guided by a comprehensive framework for port-city stewardship.