Overview
Status: in progress
Categorization: habitat and biodiversity, cultural heritage, local development, climate change, water quality, Risk management
Country: Italy
Period: /
Contact info
Name: Sandro Esposito
Organization: Province of Latina
Email: s.esposito@provincia.latina.it
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Summary
Summary description: The Agro Pontino Coast Contract process started in March 2019 promoted by Lazio Region who organized a series of participatory meetings and workshops in the context of the Coasting project and then promoted and coordinated by the Province of Latina. The process aimed at discussing the main topics (water quality, nature and biodiversity; climate change, soil and coast protection; landscape protection and valorisation, and sustainable tourism) with local stakeholders (private and public) in order to build a common knowledge and a strategy for the sustainable integrated management of the coastal area. In accordance with the guidelines released by the Italian Ministry of the Environment, the Coast Contract process followed the phases: i) subscription of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) listing the reasons for starting the process and the preliminary objectives; ii) development of a Context Analysis on environmental, social and economic aspects; iii) drafting of a Strategic Document defining the medium-long term scenario; iv) definition of an Action Program with a limited time horizon (three years) listing for each action: objectives, commitments of the involved stakeholders, timing, and financial resources; v) subscription of a legal-binding commitment (Contract) formalising the decisions shared during the participatory process.
Type: other
EU Challenges for sustainable tourism: (i) preserving and giving value to natural and cultural heritage and diversity, (ii) minimising resource use and production of waste, (iii) enhancing local community prosperity and quality of life, (iv) reducing the seasonality of demand, (v) limiting the environmental impact of tourism-related transport, (viii) mitigating and adapting to climate change, further challenges
EU Principles: (i) taking a holistic and integrated approach (economic, social and environmental aspects), (ii) planning for the long term, (iii) involving stakeholders, (iv) multilevel governance, (v) promoting awareness and commitment
Reason of interest for COASTING: The Agro Pontino Coast Contract has been activated by the Interreg Med Coasting Project and it is a good practice for the application of the Environmental Contract tool in a coastal area.
Financial information
Budget: 10,000,000.00 €
Financial sources: The Interreg Med Coasting project funded the starting of the governance process, the Province of Latina and Lazio Region continued funding the governance process. The action included in the First Action Program foresee structural and non-structural activities already funded or with resources to be founded (private funds, EU funds, National or regional funds).
Background information
Territorial context: The Pontine Plain is the result of the “Great Land Reclamation” of the 1920s, which has deeply modified the hydrography, topography, biodiversity, urbanization, economy, and landscape of the area. The Pontine coast is characterized by the sand bar, the dunes, and the coastal lakes once connected to each other by large wetlands. The area identified by the Coast Contract of the Agro Pontine includes the municipalities of Latina (northern limit), Sabaudia, San Felice Circeo and, for a small part, Terracina, for a total extension of approximately 440 sq. Km. The target area is therefore divided between the coastal strip characterized by the dune cordon and by the retro-dunal lakes falling within the Circeo National Park, and the Pontine plain. The territory is thus articulated between the wetlands of the coast, characterized by a significant level of urbanization, and the internal depressions which, after the reclamation and construction of rural dwellings, were destined for agricultural and industrial uses, with the only exceptions of the urban center of Latina and of the Latina Scalo d
Relation to policies and strategies: Linee guida Piano dei Porti (Regione Lazio) Piano di Stralcio di Assetto Idrogeologico Piano di Tutela delle Acque Regionale Piano Regionale di Utilizzazione delle Aree del Demanio Marittimo Programma generale per la difesa e la ricostruzione dei litorali (Regione Lazio) Piano del Parco Nazionale del Circeo e Piani di Gestione SIC e ZPS Piano Territoriale Provinciale Generale (Provincia di Latina) Piano Turistico Triennale (Regione Lazio) Piano Territoriale Paesistico (Provincia di Latina) Piano Territoriale Paesaggistico Regionale (Regione Lazio) Rete ecologica della Provincia di Latina Programma di Riqualificazione Ambientale delle acque superficiali dell’Agro Pontino
Regulation framework: Italy and Lazio Region already have a regulatory framework for Environmental Contracts (River/Lake/Wetland). Lazio Region will integrate the MPA Contract into this framework. Specifically, the main regulations concerning the Environmental Contracts are: • National Charter of River Contracts (2010) • National Environmental Code art. 68-bis • Regional Stability Law 17/2016, which formally adopted the River Contracts with article 3 paragraphs 95 and 96.
Specific information
Objectives: - Water quality and sustainable use - Nature and biodiversity - Climate change - Hydrological risk and coastal erosion - Sustainable tourism - Landscape and cultural heritage - Governance and territorial planning
Developers (and governance): The coordinator of the Coast Contract is the Province of Latina.
Beneficiaries: Local communities, farmers, tourists.
Innovation aspects: Multilevel and multistakeholder approach
Actions: The Agro Pontino Coast Contract process includes a series of participatory activities involving key stakeholders that led to the definition of the Action Plan 2022-2025. The Action Plan includes different activities both structural (e.g. restoration of dunes) and non-structural (e.g. education activities).
Stakeholders involvement: The participatory process of th Agro Pontino Coast Contract involved various stakeholders, including: Lazio Region, Province of Latina, Municipalities of Latina, Sabaudia, Sermoneta (coordinator of Cavata-Linea-Pio River Contract), Sezze (coordinator of the Ufente River Contract) and Terracina, Circeo National Park, Agro-Pontine Reclamation Consortium and XIII Mountain Community of Lepini-Ausoni mountains (coordinator of Amaseno River Contract), Acqualatina S.p.A, Unindustria Latina, Chamber of Commerce Latina, and environmental and cultural associations to the Coast Contract of Agro Pontine.
Results achieved: The formal Agreement of the Agro Pontino Coast Contract (Accordo di Programmazione Negoziata) was signed by 22 stakeholders on 23rd February 2022.
Potential for learning and transfer
Challenges and obstacles: Fragmentation of responsibilities, scares collaboration among stakeholders.
Success factors: Active involvement of key stakeholders and coordination of the Province of Latina
Transferability in COASTING project: The Agro Pontino Coast Contract is a best practice for touristic and environmental governance capable of delivering a multi-level, integrated strategic vision for the sustainable development of coastal landscapes.