Socio Cultural Foundations in Coastal Development Policies: A Blue Economy Assessment in North Sulawesi

Abstract

Coastal development outcomes are shaped not only by technical planning but also by the socio cultural systems through which communities perceive, negotiate, and utilize coastal-built environments. Although the Blue Economy has emerged as a dominant framework in coastal governance, existing scholarship has paid limited attention to how socio cultural mechanisms function as informal governance structures influencing policy implementation and effectiveness. This study examines how local socio cultural practices shape community engagement with coastal infrastructure and mediate policy outcomes in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. A qualitative comparative case study was conducted across five coastal locations selected to represent diverse socio-cultural contexts and infrastructure utilization patterns. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, field observations, and policy document analysis, and interpreted through cross-site comparative analysis. The findings reveal that safety rituals, gratitude practices, moral obligations at sea, and Traditional Ecological Knowledge operate as informal governance mechanisms shaping community assessments and utilization of boat landings, fish-landing zones, and operational shelters. Analysis through the People Planet Profit framework demonstrates a persistent mismatch between policy objectives and community practices, explaining uneven infrastructure adoption and policy effectiveness. This study underscores the importance of integrating socio-cultural governance dimensions into coastal development strategies to enhance the effectiveness, legitimacy, and sustainability of Blue Economy implementation.