Integrated coastal zone managementIntegrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), also known as Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) or Integrated Coastal Planning, is a coastal management process that considers geographical and political boundaries and focuses on sustainability. The concept was developed in 1992 during the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro and outlined in the proceedings of Agenda 21, Chapter 17.[1] OverviewFrameworkIntegrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) is a decision-making framework developed to address region-specific environmental implications for coastal zones by considering interactions between natural, social, and economic systems in coastal areas. ICZM is focused on sustainable coastal development and is relevant for areas of overlapping jurisdictions that require high level of integration across sectors, stakeholders, and government to implement change.[2] ContextManagement of coastal zonesIntegrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) is focused on sustainable development of coastal zones[3] Coastal zones are often characterized by diverse ecosystems that provide resources to local human populations.[4] Coastal margins represent 8% of the world's surface area while providing 25% of global resources. Approximately 70% of the world's population lives within a day's walk of the coast,[5] and two-thirds of the world's cities are coastal.[6] Coastal populations rely on resources like fish and minerals for subsistence, recreation, and economic development.[7] These resources are considered common property and as such may be subject to over harvesting. For example, 90% of the world's fish harvest comes from within national exclusive economic zones, often within sight of the shore.[5] The quantity of extracted resources, along with the process of extraction, compounded by pollution, has impacted local ecosystems.[citation needed] GoalsThe four documented goals of ICZM are:
Framework limitationsICZM framework may not be applicable in all situations.[8] For example, the Sumatra earthquake and the Indian Ocean tsunami had significant impacts on the coastal environment itself and has altered perceptions of coastal hazard mitigation.[3] ___________________________________________ Five-step approachICZM considers spatial, functional, legal, policy, information, and participation factors of coastal management[9] and targets public participation and stakeholder involvement in order to reduce decision-making conflicts. A balance between environmental protection and economic/social development is considered key to the framework .[10]
___________________________________________ Dimensions of coastal zone managementDefining coastal zonesDefining the coastal zone is of particular importance to the idea of ICZM. Ketchum (1972)[12] defined the area as: The coastal zone refers to the band of dry land and the adjacent ocean space—including both the water column and the submerged land—where terrestrial processes and land uses directly influence oceanic processes and activities, and vice versa. Focus on SustainabilityThe concept behind ICZM is sustainability which entails a continuous decision-making process and readjustment of the equilibrium between development and environmental protection.[13][14] Finding integration and synergies Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) relies on five principal forms of integration:[13]
___________________________________________ ConstraintsThe term integration in a coastal management context has many horizontal and vertical aspects, and reflects complexity of the task and proves implementation challenge. Top-down and bottom-up approachMajor constraints of ICZM are institutional, rather than technological.[9] The top-down approach in administrative decision-making is insufficient as a tool promoting ICZM through the idea of sustainability.[9] Community-based, or “bottom-up,” approaches in coastal management allow for the identification of issues that are specific to local areas rather than being forced to fit existing strategies or policies. Public consultation and participation incorporate local perspectives into broader policy frameworks and may assist effective implementation. Human factorsThe coastal environment has historical and cultural connections with human activity. Its wealth of resources have provided for millennia. With regard to ICZM, legally binding management becomes difficult when coastal areas are perceived as common areas available to all.[5] Enforcing restrictions or changes to activities within the coastal zone can be challenging, as these resources are often critical to local livelihoods. The perception of the coast as common property can complicate top-down management approaches. Moreover, the concept of common property is inherently complex, and differing perceptions of ownership and use can contribute to resource depletion. AdoptionEuropean UnionThe European Parliament and the European Council "adopted in 2002 a recommendation on Integrated Coastal Zone Management which defines the principles sound coastal planning and management. These include the need to base planning on sound and shared knowledge, the need to take a long-term and cross-sector perspective, to pro-actively involve stakeholders and the need to take into account both the terrestrial and the marine components of the coastal zone".[15] IranThe General Directorate of Coasts and Ports Engineering within the Ports and Maritime Organizationof Iran was tasked with conducting Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) studies. The first phase of these studies commenced in spring 2003 and concluded in autumn 2006. The results of this phase were documented in a series of reports. The second phase of ICZM studies began in autumn 2005 and has since been completed and presented. The second phase was conducted by six Iranian consultants who, with input from international sources, produced eleven reports detailing the findings and outcomes of the study.[16] MediterraneanICZM Protocol was officially signed at the Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the ICZM Protocol, held on 20–21 January 2008 in Madrid, Spain. Presided over by H.E. Ms. Cristina Narbona Ruiz, the Minister of Environment of Spain, fourteen Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention endorsed the Protocol: Algeria, Croatia, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Slovenia, Spain, Syria, and Tunisia. Protocol is consistent with the Mediterranean Action Plan of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP/MAP). ICZM Protocol was signed after a six-year process. Syria became the sixth country to ratify the Protocol on 31 September 2010. In September 2012, Croatia and Morocco ratified the Protocol, bringing the total number of ratifications to nine (Slovenia, Montenegro, Albania, Spain, France, the European Union, Syria, Croatia, and Morocco). The Action Plan for the implementation of the ICZM Protocol 2012-2019 was adopted on the occasion of the CoP 17, held in Paris from 8 to 10 February 2012. A roadmap for the implementation of the ICZM Process, prepared by Priority Actions Programme Regional Activity Centre (PAP/RAC), is available on the Coastal Wiki platform of the PEGASO and ENCORA projects: ICZM Process. On May 8, 2014, the Israeli Government ratified the ICZM Protocol bringing the number of ratifications to 10. New ZealandNew Zealand incorporates sustainable management with a focus on coastal environment within its legislation.[4] The Resource Management Act (RMA) (1991) focused on sustainable development in advance of a New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement (NZCPS).[17] See also
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