154
C. von Schweinichen
14.3
The Ecosystem Approach to Land-Use Planning in Coastal Areas
The goal of sustain ability has affected current planning approaches and practices. The
need to restore and maintain ecological health, reconsider patterns of development to
prevent ecological degradation and enhance sustainable economy has led to the notion
of ecosystem-based planning. Thinking about ecosystems in the context of planning
and management represents a major shift from traditional land-use planning. An ecosystem is an interacting system of air, land, water and living organisms: any individual
organism is an integral part of the system.
The key to understanding the ecosystem is to recognize that everything is cOI).nected
to everything else and that, therefore, human activities should be viewed as interacting
with pre-existing conditions and contributing to cumulative changes in ecosystem
health. The ecosystem approach recognizes the dependence of human communities
and economic systems on healthy environment including clean air, land and water,
renewable and non-renewable resources, natural areas and wildlife.
As an example, the "dual network strategy" (van der Wa11993) was developed in The
Netherlands. This is an ecologically inspired planning method in which the transport
network is seen as having a guiding effect on highly dynamic uses, such as business,
offices, mass recreation and agriculture, while the water network influences less dynamic uses such as water collection, nature and low key recreation. The combination of
both networks offers a framework to guide settlement developments and enables locations to be identified.
The ecosystem approach can be used on any scale: regional, municipal or urban. In
its essence it emphasizes ecosystem health, sustain ability and quality of life. Furthermore, it focuses on interactions between components of the different ecosystems, taking a long-term perspective. In determining coastal area development and design, key
elements of environmental assessment process are incorporated, including examination of alternatives and prediction of effects. Planning is undertaken by all stakeholders
in the development process.
The global implications of sustainability are inlmense. Planning for sustainability means
becoming more aware of the connection between land use, resource use, waste generation,
pollution of air, soil and water as well as social and economic impacts. Within the context as a whole, ecosystem growth and development must be assessed to ensure the protection of environmental and community values. Proposals and plans should be judged
not only on economic merits, but also on their contribution to human activities as well as
social objectives. Increasingly, the notion of expected contribution to the regeneration
and sustenance of ecological health of the region should become a primary concern.
14.4
Capacity Building, Major Groups and Public Participation
Success in improving urban environmental management comes from the participation
of all parties and the public in the process. High levels of government should set longterm priorities, finance major infrastructure developments and other initiatives to alleviate the environmental impact of human activities, design and legislate on environmental taxes, fees and standards, etc.
C. von Schweinichen
14.3
The Ecosystem Approach to Land-Use Planning in Coastal Areas
The goal of sustain ability has affected current planning approaches and practices. The
need to restore and maintain ecological health, reconsider patterns of development to
prevent ecological degradation and enhance sustainable economy has led to the notion
of ecosystem-based planning. Thinking about ecosystems in the context of planning
and management represents a major shift from traditional land-use planning. An ecosystem is an interacting system of air, land, water and living organisms: any individual
organism is an integral part of the system.
The key to understanding the ecosystem is to recognize that everything is cOI).nected
to everything else and that, therefore, human activities should be viewed as interacting
with pre-existing conditions and contributing to cumulative changes in ecosystem
health. The ecosystem approach recognizes the dependence of human communities
and economic systems on healthy environment including clean air, land and water,
renewable and non-renewable resources, natural areas and wildlife.
As an example, the "dual network strategy" (van der Wa11993) was developed in The
Netherlands. This is an ecologically inspired planning method in which the transport
network is seen as having a guiding effect on highly dynamic uses, such as business,
offices, mass recreation and agriculture, while the water network influences less dynamic uses such as water collection, nature and low key recreation. The combination of
both networks offers a framework to guide settlement developments and enables locations to be identified.
The ecosystem approach can be used on any scale: regional, municipal or urban. In
its essence it emphasizes ecosystem health, sustain ability and quality of life. Furthermore, it focuses on interactions between components of the different ecosystems, taking a long-term perspective. In determining coastal area development and design, key
elements of environmental assessment process are incorporated, including examination of alternatives and prediction of effects. Planning is undertaken by all stakeholders
in the development process.
The global implications of sustainability are inlmense. Planning for sustainability means
becoming more aware of the connection between land use, resource use, waste generation,
pollution of air, soil and water as well as social and economic impacts. Within the context as a whole, ecosystem growth and development must be assessed to ensure the protection of environmental and community values. Proposals and plans should be judged
not only on economic merits, but also on their contribution to human activities as well as
social objectives. Increasingly, the notion of expected contribution to the regeneration
and sustenance of ecological health of the region should become a primary concern.
14.4
Capacity Building, Major Groups and Public Participation
Success in improving urban environmental management comes from the participation
of all parties and the public in the process. High levels of government should set longterm priorities, finance major infrastructure developments and other initiatives to alleviate the environmental impact of human activities, design and legislate on environmental taxes, fees and standards, etc.