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 Mediterranean Countries
Spain
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?
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?
The Spanish strategy encompasses a holistic thematic and geographic perspective. 8 sectors
have been identified as having a major impact on ICZM in Spain. Apart from the central state level
particularly decentralized structures such as the autonomous communities and municipalities
have a big say in ICZM matters. Competencies and responsibilities are complex and considered
by the Spanish report.
A time horizon for the Spanish strategy is not explicitly specified in the Spanish report, however, it
can be deduced that a long-term horizon is assumed. Reference to the needs of the current and
future generations are made. Long-term changes such as climate change, sea level rise and
increasing frequency and violence of storms are considered in Annex 1 of the report with 3
indicators and 8 measures. Taking of precautionary measures with respect to disasters is also
expressed through objective 4 of the strategy.
Adaptation of the model of coastal management is explicitely regarded in strategic objective 2.
Accompanying investigation, development and innovation measures are foreseen as well. Natural
science as well as socio-economic conditions shall be looked at to assist the further evolution of
the ICZM model in Spain. A special observatory for collecting pertinent data shall be set up.
Nothing can be said with respect to possible restrictions to the access of collected data.
Different segments of the national coastal zone are identified in the introductory part of chapter 1
of the Spanish report. Local governments (municipalities) are adequately considered, not much is
said to communities below that level. Coastal protection and the protection of cultural heritage
have been considered through specific objectives 4 and 6 of the strategy. Management of coastal
areas shall be based on river basins.
The carrying capacity of the coastal zone has explicitely been included into the specific objective
3. Renaturation measures are part of the strategy. In chapter 4.3.5 the conversion of land from
the private to the public domain is envisaged for the purpose of conservation and restauration.
The Spanish authorities mention that they follow in this respect a good practice observed in
France where to this end a public institution, i.e. the Conservatoire du Litoral, was established.
Some reference is made to the adequate involvement of stakeholders in the process.
Stakeholders shall certainly be involved in the implementation of the Spanish National ICZM
Strategy (e.g through the National Coastal Council). However, the Spanish Strategy itself was not
developed through active stakeholder participation. This is seen as a weakness. On the other
hand through the stock taking effort a good knowledge is now available on major important
stakeholders all along the Spanish coast. Through quite successful application of the 1988
Shores Act it was achieved to take care much better of the public domain terrestrial-marine
coastal fringe. National, regional and even a European stakeholder fora are proposed in the
strategy.
It is the firm intention of the Spanish strategy to involve – apart from the various national
ministries – also regional, i.e. autonomous communities, and local governments, i.e.
municipalities. Adequate communication links have partly been established and this shall be
completed through measures of specific objective 7 of the strategy.
A balanced set of instruments in planning and management is intended to be employed. The
1988 Shores Act has been a good foundation to demarcate and govern particularly the public
domain part of the coast. However, this has not been good enough particularly with respect to the
private property domain part of the coast. Here it is intended to develop a new policy instrument,
i.e. the Director’s Plan for the Sustainability of the Coast. No mention is made for voluntary
agreements and co-management arrangements with local stakeholders and communities.
Research and education are part of the strategy (chapter 4.3.6 and 4.3.7). No economic
instruments creating incentives or disincentives (taxes, subsidies, punishments, charges) are
explicitely mentioned. So far it has been reported that the various policy and legal instruments
lack coherence and that the complexity in competencies and responsibilities is formidable with a
high need to further work on them.
Turkey
1) Is there a holistic
thematic and geographic
perspective in the
process?
2) Is there a long-term
perspective envisaged?
There is no report from Turkey, however, some alternative information.
There is no national ICZM strategy or any other approach in place that comes close to a national
strategy with a holistic thematic and geographic perspective.
There is no national ICZM strategy or equivalent in place envisaging a long-term perspective.
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