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Business sector involvement in maritime spatial planning – Experiences from the Baltic Sea region

Marine Policy, Volume 123

Abstract:

The aim of this study is to elaborate on the business sector’s interest and involvement in MSP in the Baltic Sea region. The findings are based on the first-hand experiences of MSP authorities and experts. Furthermore, perspectives from two sea-use sectors, maritime transport and marine tourism, have been investigated using online questionnaires to discover their views. The study focuses on the questions of who to involve and what are the driving forces promoting business sector involvement. Even though MSP is a form of broad-scale planning, the results indicate that all spatial and organisational scales from local to international and from small enterprises to umbrella organisations should be considered when designing approach to business stakeholder participation.

Sea Basin(s):
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Baltic Sea
Application in MSP:
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Applied in a related process
Type of Issue:
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Economic aspects
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Stakeholders
Type of practice:
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Study
Stage of MSP cycle:
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Vision and aims
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Analyse spatial aspects
Cross-border / trans-national aspect:
No
Key words:
marine spatial planning
stakeholder involvement
planning process
business representatives
Baltic Sea
Source / Links:

Hanna Luhtala, Anne Erkkilä-Välimäki, Søren Qvist Eliasen, Harri Tolvanen, Business sector involvement in maritime spatial planning – Experiences from the Baltic Sea region, Marine Policy, Volume 123, 2021, 104301, ISSN 0308-597X.

Questions this practice may help answer:

  • Which business stakeholders are usually involved in MSP processes?
  • What are the current factors hindering the business sector's involvement in MSP?
  • What are the expected benefits of business stakeholder’s involvement in MSP?

Implementation Context:

This study was drafted within the framework of the BONUS BASMATI project which aimed to develop integrated and innovative solutions for Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) from a local to a Baltic Sea Region scale.

Aspects / Objectives:

The aim of this study is to provide insights on the business sector's interest and involvement in Maritime Spatial Planning in the Baltic Sea.

Method:

The study is based on semi-structured interviews conducted with planning authorities and experts, as well as  an online questionnaire.

Main Outputs / Results:

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the business environment and the economic structure of the Baltic Sea Region. It also identifies the driving forces behind the business sector's involvement in MSP.

Transferability:

Although this practice focuses on the Baltic Sea Region, it provides a comprehensive analysis of the business sector's involvement in the MSP process. 

Responsible Entity:

BONUS BASMATI project

Funding Source:

BONUS BASMATI is supported by BONUS (Art. 185), call number: call 2015-77, funded jointly by the EU, Innovation Fund Denmark, Swedish Research, Council Formas, Academy of Finland, Latvian Ministry of Education and Science, and Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Germany.

Contact person

H. Luhtala: hanna.luhtalaatutu.fi