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

Abstract

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.

Assessment of Coastal Cultural Ecosystem Services and Well-Being for Integrating Stakeholder Values into Coastal Planning

“…The inland part of the study area is used for agriculture, forestry, and, more recently, wind energy production. Currently, wind turbines are operational in the onshore part, but there is an emerging interest among developers in building offshore wind farms in the adjacent territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone [26]. Key maritime economic activities in the study area include coastal tourism, fishing, and shipping [41].…”

“…A similar approach was applied by Inácio et al [72] in mapping and assessing coastal CES in a neighboring country-Lithuania, where various spatial data sets were used to model the natural components (e.g., naturalness, relief heterogeneity, tree density, water bodies, and other landcover types, silent areas, protected areas) and cultural components (e.g., religious sites, points of interest, sports facilities, accommodation, gastronomy, tourism infrastructure) contributing to CES supply; whereas flow and demand of the services were assessed using the online PGIS survey, identify the sites visited for recreation and points of origin of respondents as well as using this information also for verification of the supply assessment. Our approach differs in terms of the assess-ment unit-landscape area, which encompasses relatively homogeneous biophysical and socio-cultural characteristics as well as place identity [26], therefore being more recognizable/perceivable by local stakeholders and robust for decision-making. The applicability of landscape areas in decision-making and conveying planning solutions was highlighted by Hazeau et al [48] and Fish et al [73] and demonstrated in our study by using the CES assessment at the scale of landscape areas to guide the costal tourism development recommendations and their communication to stakeholders.…”

“…It has become essential to establish an appropriate assessment unit by considering ecosystem types (e.g., beach or forest), as well as habitats (e.g., coastal lagoons or wooded dunes), and other distinctive features of each individual coastal and marine region. Another challenge is the interface between land and sea, the characteristics of direct shoreline and adjacent land, and the identification of the proper biophysical and socio-cultural assessment criteria and indicators [25][26][27].…”

Usługi ekosystemów morskich

“…2022). Dodatkowo sztywny podział administracyjny i podział kompetencji na linii morze-ląd w warunkach polskich utrudnia, a często wręcz uniemożliwia, zarządzanie usługami ekosystemowymi na styku tych dwóch środowisk(Pikner i in. 2022).…”

A Comparative Analysis of Seaports in Terms of the Development of Maritime Tourism in the Area of the Baltic Sea

“…According to many sources, the Caribbean has been the dominant market for cruises since its inception. The Caribbean and the Mediterranean are regional and complementary markets, accounting for more than 70% of the world's cruise industry capacity, offering a variety of cultures in close proximity and therefore a perfect match [13]. These markets are complementary in the sense that the Caribbean is mainly served in the winter, while the Mediterranean peaks in the summer.…”