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The Bridge Effect: Understanding the Impact of Connecting Islands to the Mainland

This study explores "The Bridge Effect," where physical links between islands and mainlands transform identities and communities. It examines the implications of bridges like the Confederation Bridge in Canada, showing how connectivity brings both opportunities and challenges. Residents may gain access to wider markets and services, yet face risks of gentrification and cultural dilution. By analyzing the effects on local economies, ecosystems, and traditional practices, this research highlights the balance between integration and preservation for island communities.

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The Bridge Effect: Understanding the Impact of Connecting Islands to the Mainland

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  1. The Bridge Effect The Bridge Effect Understanding the Effects of the Physical Linking of Small Islands to Mainlands Godfrey Baldacchino Canada Research Chair (Island Studies) University of Prince Edward Island, Canada

  2. Bridges: Progress – Communication - Integration

  3. There are some who have swapped their birthright for a stretch of tar. A bridge that will allow their cars to link with roads that lace mainlanders together permitting islands to become like a landlocked place. Surrendering their separateness to loop with these larger shores becoming both part and prisoners of the whole. Bridge to Valentia –by Donald Murray

  4. When is an island not an island? When the European Union decides it is not. An island is not an island if it has fewer than 50 permanent residents, is attached to the mainland by a rigid structure, is less than 1km from the mainland, or is home to the capital of an EU state. The Guardian (UK), 21 January 2003, page 5

  5. Prince Edward Island OR Peninsular?

  6. Confederation Bridge: Federal Promise Fulfilled or Rupture with Identity?

  7. An Inexorable March? • PEI gets connected to the world: 1813-Postal Service 1852-Telegraph Cable 1876-Public Ferry Service 1910-Telephone Cable 1941-Regular Air Carrier 1990-Cell Phone Service 1993-Internet Access 1997- Fixed Link Access?

  8. Aldabra Atoll – World Heritage Site

  9. Ohio Key, Florida – Yacht Haven

  10. Pepparholmen Island – Oresund Bridge

  11. Canso Bridge, Causeway… & Loss of Clout?

  12. Who Benefits, Who Loses? • Traders, Tourists, Consumers, Seasonal Residents, Mass Tourism Operators, Fixed Link Maintenance Firms & Crews - Gain • Endemic Species, Local Practices, Local Producers, Ferry Operators & Workers, Local Shopkeepers, Local Home Buyers – Lose • Short-term versus Long-Term

  13. Bridges Save Communities? Irish Islands – after Royle & Scott 1996

  14. Fixed Links: Bring More Tourists from Closer Locations, Less Visitor Nights? (Distance Decay) Tourist Visitors to Atlantic Canada: NS=Yellow; NB=Pink; PEI=Blue

  15. Conclusion .. of sorts • All islands are ‘linked’. • Isolating Bridge Effect is best with an experimental versus control group strategy • IF Island is too small; and IF Mainland Flow to Island is too big: Gentrification is likely with fixed link. • Change will depend on access costs, opportunity costs (money & time) and cultural gap/lag.

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