Overview
Status: complete
Categorization: ICZM
Country: Croatia
Period: 01.01.2008 / 31.12.2008
Contact info
Name: Antonija Odak
Organization: DUNEA
Email: aodak@dunea.hr
:
Summary
Summary description: Through project COASTANCE (Integral Coastal Management) and following through project COASTGAP (Coastal Governance and Adaptation Policies in the Mediterranean), in which the Regional Agency DUNEA participated as a partner, a Group for Integrated Coastal Management in Dubrovnik- Neretva County have been formed. The group consists of 24 representatives of all institutions in the Dubrovnik Neretva County that directly or indirectly deal with the protection, evaluation and management of coastal areas of the County.
Type: other
EU Challenges for sustainable tourism: (i) preserving and giving value to natural and cultural heritage and diversity, (iii) enhancing local community prosperity and quality of life, (v) limiting the environmental impact of tourism-related transport, (viii) mitigating and adapting to climate change
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: N/A
Financial information
: 0.00 €
Financial sources: N/A
Background information
Territorial context: The Dubrovnik-Neretva Region is the southernmost region of the Republic of Croatia and it is territorially organized into 22 units of local government and self-government with five cities and 17 municipalities. The Region consists of two basic functional and physiognomic units: a relatively narrow longitudinal coastal area with a string of offshore islands and closer islands (most notably Korčula, Mljet, Lastovo and the Elaphiti Island group) and the area of Lower Neretva with its gravitating coastal zone. Dubrovnik Neretva Region’s economy is profoundly influenced by its geographic position, the length, indentation and quality of its coast, by the rich cultural and historical heritage, by numerous protected areas. According to the last population census from 2011, the Dubrovnik Neretva Region has 122, 568 inhabitants. Tourism is the most important industry in Dubrovnik Neretva Region. According to the number of tourist nights, the dominant centre is the City of Dubrovnik.
Relation to policies and strategies: The good practice is framed within the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) established under the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) 1975. The MAP is the first in a series of regional marine programs which are established for better living for the inhabitants of the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea and the establishment of strengthening of mutual cooperation and harmonization of joint management of natural resources. It also focuses on environmental protection, the promotion of a sustainable management model, as well as harmonizing relations between Mediterranean countries. Republic of Croatia has signed the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Area of the Mediterranean (the so-called Barcelona Conventions), which represents the legal framework for MAP. The good practice is, also, framed within Development Strategy of Dubrovnik-Neretva County on regional level.
Regulation framework: National Level: -Law on Spatial Planning and construction (NN 76/07, 38/09) - Environmental Protection Act (NN 110/07) - Law on Nature Protection (NN 70/05, 139/08) - Regional Development Act (NN 153/09) - National Environmental Protection Strategy (2002.) - Strategy for Sustainable Development of the Republic of Croatia (2009.) - Regional Development Strategy of the Republic of Croatia (2010.) Regional level: - Development Strategy of Dubrovnik-Neretva County, 2011. - Environmental Protection Program of Dubrovnik-Neretva County, 2010. - Spatial Plan of Dubrovnik-Neretva County, 2010.
Specific information
Objectives: The objectives of these Group are; - joint cooperation - synergistic action - forming new project ideas - exchange of knowledge and data
Developers (and governance): - Regional Development Agency Dubrovnik-Neretva County – DUNEA - Institute for Spatial Planning of Dubrovnik Neretva County - Department of Tourism, Maritime, Enterprise and Energy of Dubrovnik Neretva County - Department for Environmental and Nature protection of Dubrovnik Neretva County - Public Institution for Management of Protected Natural Values of Dubrovnik Neretva County – Department for Environmental Health - University of Dubrovnik – Aquaculture department - University of Dubrovnik – Maritime department - Dubrovnik-Neretva County Port Authority - Vela Luka Municipality Port Authority - Croatian Forests (Forestry offices Metković) - Croatian Roads (Technical offices Dubrovnik) - Municipality of Župa Dubrovačka - City of Dubrovnik Development Agency DURA - City of Dubrovnik Department for Urbanism, Spatial Planning and Environmental Protection
Beneficiaries: Beneficiaries of this good practice are representatives of county and local authorities who are directly involved in the coastal area management process as well as all other stakeholders involved in this process.
Innovation aspects: As the ICZM Protocol specifically stresses the need for cross-sectoral institutional coordination and the involvement of all relevant administrative bodies to tackle the problems affecting the coast, the establishment of such a group in the Dubrovnik Neretva County is a major step for the County in terms of Integral Coastal Management.
Actions: - The Group for Integrated Coastal Management in the Dubrovnik Neretva County worked on drafting The Guidelines for Integral Management of the Coastal Area of Dubrovnik Neretva Region - The group held four round tables discussing key coastal problems.
Stakeholders involvement: This Group consists of representatives of all institutions in the Dubrovnik Neretva County that directly or indirectly deal with the protection, evaluation and management of coastal areas of the County.
Results achieved: - With the help of this group, the Guidelines for Integral Management of the Coastal Area of Dubrovnik Neretva Region were obtained. - The group's work resulted in several project ideas. The draft idea for the ICZM Plan of the Dubrovnik Neretva County was included in the Joint Action Plan (within the COASTGAP project the aim was to launch a Joint Action Plan to Adjust Climate Change in the Mediterranean).
Potential for learning and transfer
Challenges and obstacles: N/A
Success factors: N/A
Transferability in COASTING project: N/A