FP7Individual fellowship2010–2012

TRANSMASP · Transboundary Maritime Spatial Planning

FP7 — People (Marie Curie Actions)

Duration
2010-06-01 → 2012-05-31
EU contribution
€151,900
Participants
1
Scheme
MC-IEF

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Results in brief

Transboundary Maritime Spatial Planning

Introduction From a public law and policy perspective, the TransMaSP (Transboundary Maritime Spatial Planning) project explores the impact of legal and natural boundaries in the implementation of Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) which is a tool to integrate sea use management. In order to feed this research with concrete elements, TransMaSP has analyzed a case study: the French-Belgian marine and coastal zone boundary (encompassing the Nord-Pas-de-Calais French region and the Belgian coastline) which is a highly used space together with a valuable environment. Objectives TransMasp aims to analyze the impact of natural border (Land/Sea) and political border (French/Belgian) on the implementation of MSP. It endeavors to contribute to the understanding and development of the concept of Maritime Spatial Planning, its relation with Integrated Coastal Zone Management and Ecosystem Approach. It has combined the abovementioned theories in order to confront a fundamental question: how to keep sea use management coherent in a transboundary context? Method In order to achieve these objectives, the analysis of the French-Belgian case study has been conducted. Besides of desk research, qualitative interviews were conducted. A guidance committee gathering a large panel of stakeholders (from administration, NGO, private sector and scientists) was set up. It has followed the project progresses and advised on further developments. For more information, please visit the TransMaSP website: http://www.transmasp.ugent.be/

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

From a public law and policy perspective, the TransMasp (Transboundary Maritime Spatial Planning) project will explore the impact of legal and natural boundaries in the implementation of Maritime Spatial Planning which is a tool to integrate sea use management. Despite of a strong request from International and European Union policy documents, transboundary aspects of Maritime Spatial Planning as well as its articulation with Land Spatial Planning are not yet scientifically handled. TransMasp will analyse a case study: the French-Belgian marine and coastal zone boundary (the Pas-de-Calais French region and the Belgian coastline). In this area, both countries share the same sandbanks, its rich biodiversity and substantial human activities (maritime transport, tourism, fisheries...). The case site is divided by the sea-land natural boundary and the French-Belgian legal boundary. Analysing it, TransMasp will investigate opportunities and constraints to develop a common Maritime Spatial Planning for a particular transboundary area. It will test the potential of Maritime Spatial Planning to ensure an effective ecosystem management across boundaries. Theoretically, this research work will further contribute to the understanding and development of the concept of Maritime Spatial Planning, its relation with Integrated Coastal Zone Management and Ecosystem Approach. It will combine those three theories in order to confront a fundamental question: how to keep sea use management coherent in a transboundary context?

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • UNIVERSITEIT GENT · GentCoordinatorBelgium

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union