Abstract
Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) is defined as a process that organises human activities in marine areas to achieve ecological, economic and social objectives. In Portugal, the first MSP instrument was published in 2019. While this represents a milestone in national marine governance, in an era of resource extraction, we must ensure that our communities and populations at the Land-Sea Interface see their ecosystems preserved and their life improved by the maritime and coastal activities they support. There is growing concern that MSP prioritises blue growth too strongly, which may reduce its ability to serve as a socially inclusive and equitable tool capable of promoting multidimensional sustainability in marine areas. This study follows previous research on the Socio-Ecological Systems framework and expands the analysis using McGinnis & Ostrom framework to review the Portuguese MSP. By mapping Socio-Ecological categories across coastal municipalities, the analysis integrates ecological conditions, social vulnerabilities, and governance structures to evaluate how MSP development affects human and ecological systems. The results reveal striking contrasts between municipalities, where ecological vulnerabilities and social challenges intersect in complex ways. These findings highlight the interconnectedness of land and sea systems, as well as the combined socio-environmental impacts, which should be reflected in policy frameworks. Using the SES lens, the study critically examines the MSP process itself, highlighting how rules, institutions, and stakeholder interactions shape planning outcomes. This framework can strengthen MSP to respond to local realities and enhance adaptive and participatory governance.
Presenters
Maria Da Luz FernandesResearcher (PhD), Department of Department of Social, Political and Territorial Sciences, University of Aveiro, GOVCOPP, University of Aveiro, Portugal Margarida Pereira
Postdoctoral fellowship, Research Unit on Governance, Competitiveness and Public Policies (GOVCOPP), University of Aveiro, Portugal
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Education, Assessment and Policy
KEYWORDS
Social and Environmental Assessment; Governance; Integrated Land-Sea Planning
