Spatial planning for the 'blue economy': Maritime spatial planning and integrated coastal management

Briefing 02-05-2013

The increasing use of seas and coasts for economic activities, the 'blue economy,' leads to growing and competing demands for maritime space. Maritime spatial planning (MSP) is a relatively new approach to overall planning of the use of seas and coastal areas. In March 2013, the European Commission proposed a Directive that would oblige Member States to make maritime spatial plans and coordinate them with other MS.