The Terrestrialization of Amphibious Life in a Danube Delta 'Town on Water'

A significant shift in the Danube Delta town of Vilkovo, often called the 'Ukrainian Venice,' is being driven by terrestrialization—a complex interplay of geomorphological, ecological, and social changes. This process, characterized by the rapid silting of canals that were once navigable, threatens the town's unique identity and its potential as a heritage site. The study employs ethnographic methods to explore how these changes have reshaped residents' relationships with the Danube River, revealing a nuanced narrative often overlooked in tourism-development plans. By integrating insights from amphibious anthropology and social science literature on water infrastructure, the research highlights critical issues that must be addressed to sustainably develop Vilkovo's tourist economy. It advocates for the inclusion of terrestrialization studies in future heritage assessments.

Richardson, T. (2019). The Terrestrialization of Amphibious Life in a Danube Delta ‘Town on Water’. Suomen Antropologi: Journal of the Finnish Anthropological Society, 43(2), 3–29. https://doi.org/10.30676/jfas.v43i2.73062