Evaluation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) in ...

Evaluation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) in Europe – Final Report
Degree of Implementation of ICZM Principles in the North Sea Countries
6) Is the process based
on participatory planning
and management?
7) Does the process
support and involve all
relevant administrative
bodies?
8) Is there a balanced
combination of
instruments in planning
and management?
All in all the decentralisation (see above) allows to involve different networks of authorities and
stakeholders on different scales enabling a mix of competence and at least in principle to do
justice to the differences between the Warden Sea area, the coast of North and South Holland,
and Zeeland.
In terms of access to the cost restrictions are minor except that for reasons of nature
conservation and habitat protection (e.g. breeding periods) there can be considerable seasonal
access restrictions to certain areas but largely affecting the dunes and wetlands. Communication
is usually available and acceptance by tourists is rather high.
The ICZM process involves national down to local (municipality) government level and
decentralises decision making where possible. Communication links and media seem to be
appropriate for internal (authority internal) and external use.
Legal instruments in particular on national level provide a rather solid foundation for coastal
management and the coastal zone has been recognized as a key national structure. The fact
that there is no specifically dedicated coastal management strategy does not seem to be
negative per se. The hierarchy of policy instruments including decentralised decision-making on
the regional and local level and horizontal exchange between the administrative bodies seems to
be a sufficiently strong enough platform to actually conduct integrated coastal zone
management. The report however does not make a secret out of the obviously conflicting views
that can lead to disagreement and require a high amount of mentoring and discourse. The
underlying networks for consultation and participation seem to be appropriate to deal with these
issues and foster conflict resolution, assuming that it is not just consultation but active
involvement in decision-making they promote.
Sweden
1) Is there a holistic
thematic and geographic
perspective in the
process?
2) Is there a long-term
perspective envisaged?
3) Is an adaptive
management approach
applied during a gradual
process?
4) Is the process localcontext
specific?
5) Does the ICZM respect
and work with natural
processes?
There is a holistic thematic and geographic perspective. An integrated approach is already
practiced in many plans and projects, which is demanded by national legislation. Several projects
have been started up by the government, local or international NGOs or other interest groups that
take this integration into perspective (such as Archipelago projects; Nordre Alv Estuary Project;
SAMS Project; SUCOZOMA Project and VILLNET Project). The parliament decided on 15
national environmental quality objectives in order to achieve sustainable development, many of
which are relevant to coastal areas. The aim of this environmental code is to promote sustainable
development. The code incorporates now 15 former environmental laws with the aim of creating a
stronger environmental legislation. The Environmental Code establishes legally binding
principles, including the “polluter pays” principle and the precautionary principle. However, thus
far, no national authority has looked at the coastal zone in an integrated fashion, but there is
recently a growing interest in this respect from all levels of government. Also, the protection of the
coastal areas is still mainly seen as a hurdle to spatial planning and infrastructure development.
Specific ICZM projects have and still address a long-term sustainable perspective in terms of
rural spatial planning and cooperation at the local and regional level. A long-term planning
perspective is also present in the current spatial planning process but it is still difficult to ensure
full protection of the coastal zone.
Yes to some extent. The present process is still rather rigid but sector plans are available. The
County Administrative Board has the responsibility to develop regional guidelines and coordinate
different state-sectors interests in the physical plans of the municipalities. It is important to note
that the planning control system is mainly restrictive.
It is rather limited. The responsibility for planning is at the local commune level. All municipalities
must produce a comprehensive plan that covers their entire area and can be used as a decision
making tool. It is mandatory that the communes consult with the County Administrative Board
which provides guidance and strategic analysis and also approve the final plans and grant
permissions. The municipalities are responsible for physical planning both at the comprehensive
and detailed level although the County Administrative Board can intervene if decisions by the
municipalities threaten national interests. Municipalities enjoy the freedom to enact their own
decisions within the national and regional framework.
Comprehensive plans of the municipalities cover both land and water until the territorial border,
with all their biological diversity, opportunities for aesthetic experiences and natural and cultural
values. Industrial activities and recreations shall be carried out in a way that promotes sustainable
envelopment. Several former environmental laws have been turned into the new Environmental
Code, with the purpose of creating a stronger environmental legislation. Specific projects, such as
the SUCOZOMA Project, have and are providing local and national government with reports on
findings and analysis to re-structure the problems identified in exploitation of coastal and marine
resources.
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