Overview
Coastal and marine spatial planning is a major challenge in the Mediterranean, where ecosystems of high biological value coexist with a strong concentration of human activities. Urbanisation, infrastructure development, tourism, maritime transport, fisheries and other economic activities exert increasing pressure on coastal and marine environments, intensifying risks of habitat degradation, biodiversity loss and conflicts between uses.
Within the framework of the Barcelona Convention system, coastal planning seeks to reconcile the socio-economic development of coastal areas with the conservation of marine and coastal ecosystems. It relies on integrated planning approaches that take into account land–sea interactions, cumulative pressures and the diversity of stakeholders involved.
Two complementary tools play a central role in this context: Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) and Marine Spatial Planning (MSP). Together, they provide essential frameworks for organising uses, reducing conflicts and integrating environmental objectives into planning and decision-making processes.
Integrated Coastal Zone Management and Marine Spatial Planning
Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), as defined by the ICZM Protocol to the Barcelona Convention, provides a strategic and operational framework for the sustainable management of coastal zones. It is based on an integrated approach that considers environmental, social, economic and institutional dimensions, as well as interactions between terrestrial and marine areas.
Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) is a complementary tool aimed at organising the spatial and temporal distribution of activities at sea. Based on scientific knowledge and participatory processes, MSP seeks to promote the sustainable use of marine resources while limiting negative impacts on ecosystems.
In the Mediterranean context, ICZM and MSP contribute to the implementation of the Ecosystem Approach (EcAp) by translating its objectives into spatial planning processes. They facilitate the integration of biodiversity considerations, sensitive habitats, cumulative pressures and marine protected areas into coastal and marine planning decisions.
Ecosystem approach and Marine Spatial Planning: key tools to manage natural resources in a sustainable way
Linkages between the Ecosystem Approach and Marine Spatial Planning
(PAP/RAC – SPA/RAC infographic, GEF Adriatic project)
Coastal planning, biodiversity and area-based conservation
Coastal planning and marine spatial planning play a key role in the establishment, management and effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs). By identifying areas of high ecological value, organising uses and regulating human activities, these tools help strengthen the coherence of conservation networks and enhance the resilience of marine and coastal ecosystems.
In this context, spatial planning contributes to:
- integrating sensitive habitats and species into planning decisions;
- reducing pressures on priority areas for conservation;
- promoting compatibility between economic activities and conservation objectives;
- supporting the implementation of ecological objectives defined under the EcAp and IMAP.
Coastal planning, biodiversity and area-based conservation
Integrated Coastal Zone Management and marine spatial planning play a key role in the establishment, management and effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs). By identifying areas of high ecological value, organising uses and regulating human activities, these tools help strengthen the coherence of conservation networks and enhance the resilience of marine and coastal ecosystems.
In this context, spatial planning contributes to:
- integrating sensitive habitats and species into planning decisions;
- reducing pressures on priority areas for conservation;
- promoting compatibility between economic activities and conservation objectives;
- supporting the implementation of ecological objectives defined under the EcAp and IMAP.
