Marine Spatial Planning: Managing a Dynamic Environment

Abstract

From both the sedimentological and the geomorphological perspective, the underlying premise that marine spatial planning should closely complement and integrate with terrestrial spatial planning, river basin and coastal zone management planning systems might superficially appear sensible, but it is inherently problematic. The degree of dynamism and dynamic variability in the terrestrial environment, that is, at the earth surface–atmosphere interface, is in no way comparable in magnitude or frequency with that experienced at the water–sediment interface of the often highly mobile sea bed or within the overlying water column itself. Moreover, the hydrodynamic marine processes involved, such as bedload and suspended sediment transport, are fundamentally different from subaerial processes, thereby leading to challenges in integrating onshore and offshore planning systems. This essential process-based distinction leads to the suggestion, which is explored in this article, that marine spatial planning should be underpinned by some form of process-defined planning unit that is determined in scale by the nature of the intended development. In this regard, it is proposed that the flexible Process-Defined Management Unit approach, which has been introduced recently as an aid to sustainable coastal decision-making and to improve upon previous coastal zone management unit approaches, provides a basis that responds to difficulties already being recognized within marine spatial planning.

Keywords:

• Marine spatial planning
• dynamism
• PDMU

Acknowledgements

The insightful comments of two anonymous referees along with the assistance and encouragement given by Stephen Jay have helped to improve the original manuscript of this article considerably and are acknowledged with gratitude.

Notes