Land-Sea-Interactions in MSP and ICZM: A regional perspective from the Mediterranean and the Black Sea

Land-sea interactions are relevant for marine spatial planning. Natural processes at the land-sea interface shape the terrestrial and the marine environment, influencing coastal and maritime activities in the area. Coastal and sea uses also hold numerous land-sea interactions, calling for infrastructures and services both on the land and the sea side. The concept of land-sea interactions has been elaborated and applied already in several studies. Notwithstanding this, application of land-sea interaction analysis within Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) and Integrated Coastal (Zone) Management (ICM/ICZM) is far to be operationalized and still challenges the planning processes, with different countries approaching it differently, at different level of analysis. In this paper the Guidelines for LSI in MSP proposed by UNEP/MAP PAP/RAC to provide practical support to land-sea interaction analysis within MSP are applied in four case studies: Bulgaria, Italy, Malta and Montenegro, within formal and informal marine spatial planning processes. The Guidelines have proved to be flexible, scalable and suitable to tiered approaches. They were adapted to the specificities of different planning, geographic, governance contexts, responding to the state and the needs of MSP development in the different countries, including non-EU ones.

Automated summary

Land-sea interactions are crucial for marine spatial planning, but face challenges in practical application. This paper applies the guidelines proposed by UNEP/MAP PAP/RAC in four case studies in Bulgaria, Italy, Malta and Montenegro. The guidelines have been proven to be flexible and adaptable to different countries' needs.