The role of place meanings in opposition to water-related infrastructure projects: the case of the Mactaquac Dam, New Brunswick, Canada

Abstract

Place attachment is often associated with opposition to infrastructure projects that change the characteristics of locations, including dam construction and removal. It has been suggested that in circumstances in which a project's perceived impacts are compatible with prevailing tangible place meanings, projects can be accepted even where local place attachment is strong. Here, we focus on the role of intangible place meanings in opposition to and acceptance of the potential removal of the Mactaquac Dam in New Brunswick, Canada. Based on interviews with 32 local stakeholders, we identified a range of place meanings related to community and personal identity. Continuity over time, community distinctiveness, and the role of various activities and experiences in developing identity were key themes. Those who wanted to retain the dam and those who wanted to remove the dam shared many meanings and only diverged in two community meanings. We suggest that conflict between the two groups may either be primarily based in different tangible meanings but escalated by the more emotional tangible meanings or that the two diverging community meanings were highly important. Further studies should investigate the specific role of intangible meanings in conflict where place attachment is strong.

Keywords

• case study
• conflict
• dams
• identity
• place meaning