PlanCoast launched

PlanCoast is an abbreviation for the “Spatial Planning in Coastal Zones” project. It is an Interreg III B CADSES project, involving 16 partners from 11 countries of three European regions, namely the Adriatic, the Baltic and the Black Seas. The kick-off meeting took place in Ancona, Italy (13-15 July 2006). The objective of the PlanCoast project is to enhance the sustainable development of the coastal zones of all these regions. It will help strengthen the implementation of ICZM in EU coastal zones by enhancing the role of maritime planning within ICZM.

The first two days were focused on the PlanCoast project. Presented and discussed were the general objectives, activities and organisational aspects of the project. Three working groups met the second day, namely on Maritime Spatial Planning, ICZM and GIS.
The third day was organised by the Forum on Adriatic and Ionian Cities and Towns and was entitled Adriatic Forum ICZM Expert Group. Also, individual meetings with the Lead Partner took place in order to specify administrative and co-ordination details.

PAP/RAC will contribute to PlanCoast with its expertise in studying the completely new field of spatial planning of marine areas, i.e. maritime spatial planning, in the Adriatic Region by analysing the current legal basis, procedures and processes. Furthermore, it will promote the role of spatial planning in ICZM in general and discuss the topic of maritime spatial planning in particular, and contribute to raising the awareness and influencing planning policy and procedures throughout the Mediterranean countries. On the basis of the national reports for all six Adriatic countries, a Synthesis Report on maritime spatial planning and ICZM will be prepared. The results will than be presented at the 3rd PlanCoast meeting in combination with the Mediterranean Conference on Maritime Spatial Planning to take place in Split, Croatia, in May 2007. See more about PlanCoast at www.plancoast.eu