Overview
Status: complete
Categorization: ICZM
Country: Croatia
Period: 01.01.2011 / 31.12.2011
Contact info
Name: Antonija Odak
Organization: DUNEA
Email: aodak@dunea.hr
:
Summary
Summary description: Guidelines for integral coastal zone management of the Dubrovnik-Neretva County were made at the initiative of the Regional Development Agency DUNEA and Dubrovnik-Neretva County, within the COASTANCE project funded by the MED European Union program. The guidelines consist of two parts: the first part is about principles and instruments of integrated coastal management are discussed, while the second one provides additional information on defining the coastal area, the ecosystem approach and the context of integrated coastal management at the international and at the Croatian level. The COASTANCE project aimed at protecting the coast, as one of the most important resources of the Dubrovnik-Neretva County, and sustainable coastal planning in the context of the Mediterranean basin, in cooperation with other partner areas - 9 Mediterranean regions from different countries. The project's objective was to develop a long-term integrated coastal zone management plan using innovative approaches to tackling coastal erosion problems and other consequences of climate change.
Type: program
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
Budget: 28,000.00 €
Financial sources: These guidelines were funded by the European Union and the Regional Agency DUNEA on regional level.
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. In the last ten years ten years the number of tourist arrivals has doubled.
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. 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: - Development Strategy of Dubrovnik-Neretva County, 2011. - Environmental Protection Program of Dubrovnik-Neretva County, 2010. - Spatial Plan of Dubrovnik-Neretva County, 2010. - Water and Sea Protection Study of the Dubrovnik-Neretva County, 2008. - Direct pollution coast assessment of cruising tourism in Croatian Adriatic, 2010. - A plan of intervention in case of sudden pollution of the sea in the Dubrovnik-Neretva County, 2010. - Assessment of vulnerability of population, material and cultural goods and the environment from catastrophic and major accidents of Dubrovnik-Neretva County, 2010.
Specific information
Objectives: The objectives of these Guidelines are; -to explain the integrated coastal management process, its fundamental goals and the benefits, which its implementation brings. -promotion of a coordinated approach of institutions involved in planning and managing the coastal area -strengthening the awareness of coastal problems and the need to find integral solutions that respect and harmonize the interests of all sides.
Developers (and governance): -Priority Actions Programme Regional Activity Centre (State authority) -Representatives of the administrative departments of Dubrovnik-Neretva County (Region authority)
Beneficiaries: The guidelines are intended for 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: Dubrovnik-Neretva County is the first County in Republic of Croatia that has developed the Guidelines for integral Management of the Coastal Area.
Actions: -Detecting key coastal problems of the Dubrovnik-Neretva County -Description of key phases and implementing instruments of Integral Coastal Zone Management -Analysis of key development documents (County Spatial Plan, Environmental Program and County Development Strategy) important for the coastal area -Involvement of stakeholders, involved in coastal zone management of County, in development of guidelines.
Stakeholders involvement: The Guidelines for Integral Management of the Coastal Area of Dubrovnik Neretva Region have been developed by the Priority Actions Programme Regional Activity Centre with the help of representatives of the administrative departments and public institutions of Dubrovnik-Neretva County. Representatives of regional authorities have contributed to the development of a document with participation in discussions and the transfer of professional studies.
Results achieved: -The guidelines set the preconditions for the implementation of the Integrated Coastal Management in the Dubrovnik-Neretva County. -Better knowledge of employees in public administration of the county about Integrated Coastal Zone Management.
Potential for learning and transfer
Challenges and obstacles: Since the Dubrovnik-Neretva County is the first county in Croatia that has developed The Guidelines for Integral Management of the Coastal Area of Dubrovnik Neretva Region, there wasn’t any challenges and obstacles.
Success factors: Based on the proposal of the working group that participated in the development of the guidelines, a number of pilot projects were proposed for the creation of the preconditions and the strengthening of the capacity for the integrated management of the coastal area of the Dubrovnik-Neretva County. The guidelines were used as input for further projects; COASTGAP, CO-EVOLVE…etc.
Transferability in COASTING project: The Guidelines deal with the coastal profile of the Dubrovnik-Neretva County and show the key coastal problems of the county. They also provide a description of integral coastal zone management (protocol, key phases, strategic instruments, integral coastal management instruments and integrated coastal management obligations in Croatia). This document analyzes key development documents of the Dubrovnik-Neretva County important for the coastal area. In view of the aforementioned, the guidelines can also be used in the COASTING project, which would be the basis for further work within capitalization work package.