This paper examines the concept of maritime multi-use as a territorial/SPATIAL governance instrument for the enhancement of sustainable development in five EU sea basins. Multi-use (MU) is expected to enhance the productivity of blue economy sectors, as well as deliver additional socio-economic benefits related to the environmental and social dimensions of sustainable development. The paper provides a definition of maritime multi-use and identifies the multi-uses with the highest potential in EU sea basins. In each sea basin, multi-use plays a different role as concerns sustainable development. For the Eastern Baltic Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea, the MU focus should remain on the environmental pillar of sustainable development. In the North Sea, North Atlantic and Western Baltic Sea, addressing social sustainability seems a key precondition for success of MU in enhancement of sustainable spatial development at sea. Moreover, it has been suggested to introduce MU key global strategies such as SDGs or Macroregional strategies and action plans and to supplement maritime spatial planning with sectoral incentives and educational efforts as key vehicles supporting MU. The paper concludes by identifying aspects which, in order to inform maritime spatial planning and maritime governance regarding a more conscious application of the aforementioned concept, require further investigation. Key tasks are related to: more profound evaluation of performance of policies supporting MUs, researching the impact of MU on societal goals and on the MU costs and benefits, including external ones, and finally identifying the impact of MU on the development of various sectors and regions on land.
The increasing demand for ocean resources exerts an increasing pressure on the use of ocean space across all European Sea Basins. This underlines issues of compatibility (or conflicts) between different maritime uses as well as between economic activities and environmental protection. The idea of multi-use (MU), as a guiding concept for efficient allocation of compatible activities in the same marine space, can increase spatial efficiency and at the same time provide socio-economic and environmental benefits. However, its transition from a concept to real-world development is facing several barriers. Based on analysis of five European sea basins done under the Horizon 2020 MUSES project (Multi-Use in European Seas), this paper aims to clarify the concept of MU by discussing: 1) the definition in the literature and practice so far, and; 2) how existing regulatory and planning regimes are supporting and challenging the development of several MUs (considered as the most promising). The analytical methodology developed for the MUSES project relied on data collected via desk research and semi structured interviews with key stakeholders (e.g. industry, regulators), over the period of seven months. The semi-quantitative analysis of data conducted, identified the commonalities and differences among countries in respect to each of the analyzed MUs. The paper points out priorities for the MU development in different sea basins and recommends initial steps to overcome existing barriers, whilst maximizing local benefits. This paper is a starting point towards a broader scientific debate on: (i) what could be the role of management policies (like for instance maritime spatial planning - MSP) in supporting and fostering MU concept development, (ii) what are technical and technological challenges for technically advanced MUs, (iii) how added values of MUs concept (e.g. benefits for local economies, positive impacts on environment) could be enhanced.
This paper explores how geography shapes human uses of the maritime space along the Atlantic archipelagic territories of Macaronesia, a biogeographical region that includes the archipelagos of the Azores, Madeira, Selvagens, Canary Islands and Cape Verde. The way specific geographic characteristics of these islands influence and even determine maritime uses and activities is analyzed in a three-layers approach in the following order: socio-economic analysis, sectorial analysis and uses and activities analysis. The biophysical and geographical characteristics of each archipelago will be considered throughout the analysis, highlighting the common aspects and peculiarities between each region. After a comprehensive overview of the main economic activities, the discussion suggests that certain specificities need to be taken into account in maritime spatial planning processes when planning and managing human uses at sea, to promote the sustainable development of local communities, particularly in archipelagic regions.
La Asociación en Defensa del Territorio del Aljarafe (ADTA) es una organización sin ánimo de lucro que promueve la habitabilidad y sostenibilidad en la comarca del Aljarafe, y en general, en el conjunto del área metropolitana de Sevilla. El Aljarafe, dada su cercanía a la capital andaluza, ha experimentado un fuerte desarrollo en las últimas décadas, que en muchas ocasiones ha ido en detrimento del medio ambiente y la calidad de vida de sus ciudadanos. En este contexto surge ADTA con la intención de preservar los importantes valores culturales y naturales que esta comarca histórica aún mantiene. Entre las actividades que esta asociación lleva a cabo está la participación en la toma de decisiones a través de alegaciones a planes y proyectos, organización de debates o visitas guiadas sobre temas controvertidos; actividades de sensibilización y difusión o cooperación y asesoramiento; y acciones legales, entre otras. ADTA también elabora propuestas como “Riopudio, corredor verde del Aljarafe” con el fin de restaurar y proteger este arroyo y su entorno; o la propuesta “Parque Arqueológico y Paisajístico del Aljarafe Norte”, que persigue proteger y poner en valor el rico patrimonio del norte de la comarca que aglutina el yacimiento calcolítico de Valencina y Castilleja de Guzmán, el yacimiento del Carambolo y la ciudad romana de Itálica.
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