Sustainable Coastal Management: Case Studies

One of the main issues in Europe in the field of environmental protection is the need to develop political decision-making systems that can support the complex mechanisms guiding the development and implementation of European policies while considering both the interests of stakeholders and social conflicts. Resolving the environmental problems of European coasts and seas requires a political response that takes account of all strategic sectors linked to water, nature, pollution, fishing, climate change and regional planning. Historically these have been considered separate policy domains, but with the adoption of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) in 2008, an integrated response is being pursued. This management approach considers the entire ecosystem and aims to achieve good environmental status for a number of specific environmental aspects. Integrated Coastal Zone Management relies on complex and elaborate measures proposed by stakeholders, and on the active involvement of local people in identifying sustainability objectives via information dissemination and consensus. This requires monitoring, regulation and good governance. Public participation in environmental decision-making in Europe was made a legal requirement by the EU’s Water Framework directive. This study presents the results of direct research conducted in the Puglia and Calabria regions in Italy