Projects / Programmes
Development of process and proceedings of integral maritime spatial planning
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 5.08.00 |
Social sciences |
Urbanism |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T260 |
Technological sciences |
Physical planning |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 5.07 |
Social Sciences |
Social and economic geography |
spatial planning, sea, coastal area, geo-spatial data, North Adriatic Sea
Researchers (12)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
In the Republic of Slovenia maritime spatial planning has not yet been included into the legislative and spatial planning framework of the state. Therefore no maritime spatial plan exists, with which the Slovenian state would have established the conditions for long-term sectoral and coordinated development of the national marine aquatorium and its narrower and wider coastal hinterland. Moreover, domestic expertise and experience in the field of marine spatial planning is relatively limited as well. Maritime spatial planning is a relatively novel concept and practice also at the European level. It has arisen from the recent environmental changes and the intensive and usually unsustainable economic practices in the coastal zones of the EU member states. In the preparation of spatial planning documents of municipalities in the Slovenian Istria (Izola, Koper, Piran) and of the state, and elaboration of various expert and development documents for the Obalno-kraška statistical region, the multi-dimensional space of the national marine waters was not taken into account. At the same time it is expected that in the near and more distant future, various economic activities will be increasingly intertwined in the spatially limited national marine aquatorium. The effects of interaction between various economic sectors will be also reflected in the expanding range of conflicts between them as well as conflicts with the rich natural and cultural environment of the national marine aquatorium and its hinterland. The need to encourage sustainable spatial development in this area is also reinforced by Directive 2014/89/EU on establishing a framework for Maritime Spatial Planning, according to which a Member State which has a sea, is obliged to establish a procedure for maritime spatial planning and to prepare and adopt a maritime spatial plan and implement the Protocol on integrated coastal zone management in the Mediterranean sea area.
In this context, a detailed knowledge of the current and expected conflicts of interest and situations, overlaps of the actual land uses (urban, agricultural, water) and regimes, and water management and ecological aspects (such as sea level rise, intrusion of salt sea water into watercourses, changing habitats, biotopes etc.) is very important. In order to cope successfully with conflicting relationships it is necessary to better understand and consider national, cross-border, European and global development context, the prevailing national development patterns and practices, the power and role of different stakeholders, the legislative framework and the goals and guidelines of different development and spatial planning policies and documents.
For the design of the maritime spatial planning process proposal and for the preparation of maritime spatial plan process, content and format, and the monitoring system of its implementation, a multi-disciplinary and inter-institutional approach is required, which on the one hand draws expertise from examples of successful practices from abroad and, on the other hand, relies on an extensive knowledge and experience of project team members.
The proposed project team can successfully cope with the issue of the growing competition for limited natural, environmental, cultural and spatial sources in the Slovene marine aquatorium (e.g. renewable energy sources, fisheries and aquaculture, salt panning, tourism, transport, natural and cultural heritage). The project group is capable to offer effective and efficient system and process solutions in the field of maritime spatial planning, with which it will be possible to reduce conflicts between sectors, increase synergies between various stakeholders and operators, improve coordination between the operators of maritime space, increase cross-border development and protection of the environment and to promote investment in sustainable and balanced development of the local waters and their area of influence.
For this purpos
Significance for science
The most important value for scientific development in the field of spatial planning and related disciplines is a development and implementation of scientific methods and tools for:
· Support of efficient processes and effective proceedings of spatial policies to achieve high quality living environments, well being, and valuable natural and cultural landscapes,
· Improvement of understanding the processes of urbanisation and spatial development,
· Setting up the starting points for creation of contemporary policies of spatial development, protection, and governance at various territorial levels (from international to local) and their putting into force,
· Cartographic visualisation and geo-visualisation, where topography, bathymetry and thematic features on the Earth are considered in vertical levels of the aquatorium and in their relations to the mainland,
· Visualisation of the state of the spatial reality, which so far as generic term referred to spatial definition of topographic characteristics for mainland spatial planning. At present it must be adapted to specifics of maritime environment which is mostly depending on bathymetry of the sea bottom.
Integral maritime spatial planning approach, which takes into account dynamic nature and vertical development of maritime (eco)system; and combining of spatial and environmental aspects are crucial for the development of the discipline. By this a significant contribution may be made towards rational and temporal optimisation of procedures. Knowledge and experiences which may be gained in simultaneous preparation of spatial plan and other impact assessment documents, may be used as one of the basics for changes in the current legislation of spatial (maritime) planning and environmental protection. Besides it may provide starting points for more efficient linkage of elements of development planning.
In the context of data provision and preparation, the fact is that so far the sea hydrography was well taken into account (IHO standards) and therefore data collected were mostly destined to safety navigation. Within the new European legislation integral management of the aquatorium is put into focus and therefore principles of coastal GIS and mapping are put forward.
Significance for the country
The process of maritime spatial planning including the preparation and the implementation of maritime spatial plan will have an effect on: (1) enhanced coordination and simplified decision processes, (2) enhanced legal certainty for all stakeholders in the maritime arena, (3) enhanced cross border cooperation and (4) enhanced coherence with other planning systems. This factors will have positive economic influences on: (1) reducing entropy and conflict situations between companies from different economic sectors, (2) reducing transaction costs for maritime activities, (3) improvement of national, regional and local business environment, (4) increased attractiveness of the national marine aquarium and its hinterland areas for foreign direct investment.
For the Slovenian national economy the proposed project is very important from the standpoint of inter-sectoral approach. The relatively small national marine aquatorium will experience competing land uses between different land transportation networks, dense settlements areas gravitating to the coastal line, fragile ecosystem in all vertical sea levels, tourist areas, fishing zones, maritime transport, cultural heritage and other economic and social activities. In order to reach harmonious and balanced development this project is of crucial importance, as it will establish a dialogue between the users of the national marine aquatorium and strengthen the economic maritime position and interests in a dialogue with neighbouring and third countries.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2016,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2016,
final report
