Unsettled Landownership

In the wake of Hurricane Irma in 2017, "Unsettled Landownership" explores the turmoil in Barbuda, beginning with this devastating natural disaster. The Experimental video delves into a deeper crisis driven by human ambition, where global power brokers exploit the island’s recovery efforts for strategic land acquisition. Through interviews with locals and environmentalists, it uncovers a network of covert land deals and manipulated environmental data, revealing a grand conspiracy by shadowy elites profiting from the disaster under the guise of benevolence.

The focus then shifts to the resilience of the Barbudan community, particularly through The Children of Gaia International Land Trust, established in 2031 in response to Hurricane Bob. This global entity champions land rights for climate refugees and promotes sustainable development. Known for managing Special Disaster Zones (SDZs), the trust embodies a revolutionary approach to post-disaster land governance, blending sustainable development with stringent protections for local communities and ecosystems.

However, the trust's narrative takes a dramatic turn, chronicling its rise and eventual downfall from the 2030s to the 2070s. Internal conflicts and power struggles within the organization and the Union of Climate Refugees lead to its dissolution in 2080, halting development in coastal communities and leaving them as ghost cities. This serves as a cautionary tale of good intentions gone awry.

"Unsettled Landownership" evolves from a story into a critical exposé on the interplay between natural disasters and human greed. It highlights the global struggle for environmental preservation against exploitative forces, calling for a reimagined approach to governance and environmental stewardship. The documentary suggests that conspiracy theories could inspire innovative configurations of technology, politics, and institutions. It positions landscape architects and designers at the forefront of communicating complex political and ecological processes, urging a new paradigm for public consciousness in our climate-uncertain future.