Information and database range used for maritime spatial planning and for integrated management of the coastal zone – case study in Poland, Baltic Sea

Abstract

        Intensive exploitation of coastal and maritime areas, together with climate changes, natural hazards and erosion, have increased pressure on coastal and maritime resources. They require integrated and consistent management in order to ensure sustainable development and to preserve coastal and marine ecosystems for future generations. Spatial development planning for maritime areas is commonly understood to denote an open process of analysis, planning and temporal distribution of components of human activity, which results in accomplishment of economic, social and environmental goals. Such actions require a wide range of information. The main objective of the study was to identify the range of data used in maritime spatial planning, integrated coastal zone management in the Polish part of the Baltic Sea and the possibility of acquiring such data. A high degree of generalisation prevents a lot of available data for MSP and ICZM from being used. An analysis of information resources (databases, registers, information systems) for the Polish Baltic zone and the coastal area has shown it to be dispersed and incomplete. However, considering the rapid development of the sector and the commitment of the stakeholders, one can predict that the new tools and projects will fill the gaps in this regard.