Improving Integration for Integrated Coastal Zone Management: An Eight Country Study

Abstract

This article appeared in a journal published by Elsevier. The attached copy is furnished to the author for internal non-commercial research and education use, including for instruction at the authors institution and sharing with colleagues.Other uses, including reproduction and distribution, or selling or licensing copies, or posting to personal, institutional or third party websites are prohibited. H I G H L I G H T S► Qualitative comparative analysis of ICZM progress in eight EU and non-EU countries ► Focus is on five types of ICZM mechanisms and their role in improving integration. ► All countries have shown some progress in implementing ICZM. ► Certain mechanisms are better suited to enhance specific types of integration. ► Poor enforcement of regulations is one of the main barriers limiting integration. Integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) is a widely accepted approach for sustainable management of the coastal environment. ICZM emphasizes integration across sectors, levels of government, uses, stakeholders, and spatial and temporal scales. While improving integration is central to progress in ICZM, the role of and the achievement of integration remain understudied. To further study these two points, our research analyzes the performance of specific mechanisms used to support ICZM in eight countries (Belgium, India, Israel, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, UK, and Vietnam). The assessment is based on a qualitative comparative analysis conducted through the use of two surveys. It focuses on five ICZM mechanisms (environmental impact assessment; planning hierarchy; setback lines; marine spatial planning, and regulatory commission) and their role in improving integration. Our findings indicate that certain mechanisms enhance specific types of integration more effectively than others. Environmental impact assessment enhances science-policy integration and can be useful to integrate knowledge across sectors. Planning hierarchy and regulatory commissions are effective mechanisms to integrate policies across government levels, with the latter also promoting public-government integration. Setback lines can be applied to enhance integration across landscape units. Marine spatial planning is a multi-faceted mechanism with the potential to promote all types of integration. Policy-makers should adopt the mechanisms that are suited to the type of integration needed. Results of this study also contribute to evidence-based coastal management by identifying the most common impediments related to the mechanisms of integration in the eight studied countries. a b s t r a c t a r t i c l e i n f o

Municipal integrated coastal governance approach: complimentary disciplinary instruments and collaboration pre-conditions

“…Many countries have no specific legislation relating to ICM, and the existing laws and regulation are being used to support ICM (Burbridge, 2004). For example, the Netherlands has concluded that no new system for ICM is needed for them but that it will form part of a national spatial planning strategy (Portman et al, 2012). Also, in Germany many of the ICM principles have already been implemented through existing legal instruments, and those instruments have already imposed "good management" of the German coastal zone (O' Hagan, Ballinger, 2009).…”

“…Also, in Germany many of the ICM principles have already been implemented through existing legal instruments, and those instruments have already imposed "good management" of the German coastal zone (O' Hagan, Ballinger, 2009). On the contrary, however, France emphasizes the importance of intensifying the ICM implementation at the local level, including local capacity building, and the establishment of a national council for implementing ICM (Portman et al, 2012…”

“…There are several types of integration that can be achieved by the ICM process. However, one of the most neglected dimensions of integration is the crossing of coastal science and policy, because there still exists a gap between these two (Thetis, 2011;Portman et al, 2012).…”

Visualising Sea-Level Rise at a Coastal Heritage Site: Participatory Process and Creative Communication

“…Due to rapidly changing knowledge and understanding regarding climate change impacts, it is yet unclear if ICZM will be have a long-term position as a coastal management strategy. Literature thus far shows little evidence that ICZM will shift towards incorporating social issues in its 'holistic' approach (Weinstein, Baird et al 2007;Portman, Esteves et al 2012).…”

The Science‐Natural Resource Policy Relationship: How Aspects of Diffusion Theory Explain Data Selection for Making Biodiversity Management Decisions

“…See the "Methods" section of this article. science-policy integration through environmental impact assessment (Portman et al 2012), while others advocate for increased public engagement in environmental decision-making processes (Tsouvalis and Waterton 2012). Regardless of the approach, science is at the forefront of environmental and natural resource policy making on every continent.…”