Spatial planning in small islands: the need to discuss the concept of ecological structure

Abstract

The concepts of green infrastructure and ecological structure (ES) are current topics of discussion among the scientific community and spatial planners. ES is mandatory in Portugal in land-planning, such as municipal master plans, but no consensus has been reached on how to implement it. The concept has not yet been implemented in the Azores, a Portuguese autonomous region, even though the Region has the responsibility of adapting legislation or accomplishing the Portuguese legislature. This study presents a critical analysis of the available literature about ES and proposes a conceptual framework to define ES for small islands, which have unique characteristics, focusing on the Azorean archipelago. The conceptual framework meets the requirements of local legislation and uses an ecological function approach that is increasingly advocated in recent European recommendations. This framework is presented as a strategic and flexible way to identify both the important elements (recognized in current legislation) in a territory and the remaining potential of the territory. The framework also supports decision-making by allowing the identification of integrated solutions, decreasing trade-offs as much as possible and reconciling the needs of nature conservation and socioeconomic development. This framework could be applied to other small islands and other territories, with local adaptations.

Keywords:

• Ecological structure
• green infrastructure
• small islands
• spatial planning
• ecosystem functions and services

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the anonymous researchers who were an important source of help for discussing the concept of ecological structure.

Funding

The authors would like to thank the Azorean Regional Fund for Science and Technology and the Pro-Emprego for funding the PhD [Project No. M3.1.2/F/007/2011] and for funds FEDER through the Operational Programme for Competitiveness Factors – COMPETE. The authors would like to thank the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) for national funds under the project No. FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-037300 [Ref. FCT PEst- C / BIA / UI0609 / 2013].