Resilience, Path Dependence, and the Port: The Case of Savannah. (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ramos, Stephen J.
• Other Names: Hein Carola guest-editor.; Schubert Dirk guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of urban history. Volume 47:Number 2(2021)
• Page Start: 250
• Page End: 271
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: Savannah -- port -- resilience -- path dependence -- region; Cities and towns -- History -- Periodicals; 909.09732
• DOI: 10.1177/0096144217704183
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0096-1442

Abstract

The article takes an historical perspective on Savannah's port since 1733 to examine those unique port factors that contributed to the city's resilience. I review resilience and path dependence literatures for seaport research, and I identify and review three critical junctures from Savannah's history to explore the port city's resilience. I then consider how the region once dominated by agricultural production began to move toward an industrial base, with World War II shipbuilding. I conclude by reflecting on how these episodes have helped to establish a trajectory of resilience for Savannah that continues today, suggesting that actor network theory and urban design aesthetics need to be additional criteria for historical port city resilience analysis.