IN-PERSON London Heritages. Section A

Abstract

Marken, once an isolated island in the Zuyderzee, has a long history shaped by its relationship with water. The island, part of the IJsselmeer since the completion of the Afsluitdijk in 1932, has navigated numerous changes in water management and land reclamation. For over 15 years, the local community has worked closely with the Water Authority on flood protection strategies, fostering a unique relationship based on shared heritage and expertise. However, a recent proposal to raise the island’s dikes by several centimeters has led to a significant dispute. Despite the Water Authority’s technical assurances, the local community remains unconvinced, commissioning an independent consultancy to reassess the need for further reinforcements. This paper explores how the community’s heritage of living on an island shapes their climate imaginaries—how they envision and experience climate risks. Through anthropological ethnographic data from Marken, this study argues that the community’s deep, emotional connection to the island, shaped by generations of living with water, contributes to a heightened sense of vulnerability. This contrasts with the more technical, calculated approach of the Water Authority. By examining this case, the paper contributes to the broader discussion of how socio-cultural heritage affects climate risk perception and adaptation. It also emphasizes the importance of integrating heritage-informed, locally grounded perspectives and knowledge into climate adaptation planning, ensuring that solutions are both technically sound and (emotionally) resonant with the communities they aim to protect.