Developing a framework for an ecosystem-based approach to sustainable marina development

Abstract

This thesis report considers the topic of sustainable marina development. This term can be understood to be a combination of two terms; “sustainable development” and “marina”. Sustainable development in this research study has been considered in relation to the coastal zone and basically entails an approach to ensure a balance between the environment and economic development. A marina, being a coastal (economic) development, interacts with the environmental conditions of the coastal zone and as such, affects the balance for sustainable development. Sustainable marina development is subsequently defined as the development of a marina in such a way and capacity, that the marina integrates its natural, social and economic environment. Additionally, a marina cannot be deemed sustainable by itself, as important principles for sustainable development like the cumulative impacts, multiple (long-term) objectives and sustainability need to be considered on the level of the larger coastal zone, or ecosystem. Currently, marina design is considered to lack an integrated development approach, and is inadequately represented in current marina development guidelines. Especially the initial stages of marina development, involving important development considerations like location selection and alternatives evaluation, lack the assessment of a marina’s integration in its natural, social and economic environment; a key element of sustainable development.