Sociocultural Dimension of Land-Sea Interactions in Maritime Spatial Planning: Three Case Studies in the Baltic Sea Region

Spatial planning faces challenges in addressing interactions between land and sea. This paper elaborates on land-sea interfaces, which can integrate certain socio-cultural values and related tensions into maritime spatial planning (MSP). In this article, three regional case studies from Estonia, Latvia, and Poland analysed important intersections between the formations of cultural values and spatial dynamics within MSP processes. These cases make it possible to address current challenges, contested boundaries, and spatial planning possibilities to embrace the vibrant and complex ways the sea becomes connected to societal change. The study indicates the multiplicity of land-sea interfaces, which should be involved in MSP through situated places of terraqueous interactions, means of public participation, and meaningful boundaries within mobilised co-existence. The actual and possible tensions in allocating new functions of maritime spaces indicate the importance of coastal landscapes and communities. Thus, MSP practice can employ the land-sea interfaces to advance regional planning through participatory engagements, which reveal sociocultural linkages between society and environment on coastal areas.

Automated summary

This article explores the land-sea interfaces in maritime spatial planning by analyzing three case studies from Estonia, Latvia, and Poland. It argues for the importance of addressing the challenges, contested boundaries, and planning possibilities in order to better understand the complex connections between the sea and societal change.