Interactive Marine Spatial Planning: Siting Tidal Energy Arrays around the Mull of Kintyre

Abstract

The rapid development of the offshore renewable energy sector has led to an increased requirement for Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) and, increasingly, this is carried out in the context of the ‘ecosystem approach’ (EA) to management. We demonstrate a novel method to facilitate implementation of the EA. Using a real-time interactive mapping device (touch-table) and stakeholder workshops we gathered data and facilitated negotiation of spatial trade-offs at a potential site for tidal renewable energy off the Mull of Kintyre (Scotland). Conflicts between the interests of tidal energy developers and commercial and recreational users of the area were identified, and use preferences and concerns of stakeholders were highlighted. Social, cultural and spatial issues associated with conversion of common pool to private resource were also revealed. The method identified important gaps in existing spatial data and helped to fill these through interactive user inputs. The workshops developed a degree of consensus between conflicting users on the best areas for potential development suggesting that this approach should be adopted during MSP.

Losing our way with mapping: Thinking critically about marine spatial planning in Scotland

“…2 Other recent work includes creating maps using a real-time interactive touch-table device combined with stakeholder workshops to articulate local knowledge of the marine environment, and to facilitate negotiation within the marine spatial planning process (Alexander et al, 2012). Despite their shortcomings, maps are key to the way marine spaces in Scotland, and around the world, are being managed.…”

Temporal constraints on ecosystem management: definitions and examples from Europe’s regional seas

“…While the importance of spatial considerations in applying an ecosystem approach to marine management has been widely recognized (e.g., O'Higgins et al 2010, Alexander et al 2012, Jordan et al 2012, temporal aspects have received less focus. We have described and defined several important and widespread temporal characteristics of social-ecological systems that constrain our ability to manage them; these are Legacy Effects (and the subcategories of Memory and Future Effects), and implicit and explicit Committed Behaviors.…”

Exploring Landscape Engagement through a Participatory Touch Table Approach

“…Arciniegas and Janssen (2012) used a touch table in a similar way in peat-meadow polder planning workshops in the Netherlands. Areas of conflict for a potential site for tidal renewable energy in Scotland were captured and explored on a touch table by Alexander et al (2012), and urban development conflicts have also been facilitated through meeting around digital maps on a touch table (e.g., (Pelzer et al 2013;Lay 2013)). …”