Case Study: The Myrtoon Sea/Peloponnese-Crete Passage

Abstract: 

This case study was developed as part of the SUPREME project to support EU Member States in the Eastern Mediterranean with MSP Implementation. The area covered in this case  study  is about  20.000  km2 and includes  the two  southernmost  peninsulas of  the Peloponnese,  the islands  of  Kythira and  Antikythira  and the North-Western part of Crete Island. The case study area was chosen as a type of "straight" in order to study a maritime area of heavy maritime traffic. A set of planning guidelines for this area were developed based on an overview of relevant social, physical, economic and legislative characteristics.

Sea Basin(s): 
Country: 
Year: 
December 2018
Application in MSP: 
Unknown effect
Sectors: 
Not sector specific
Type of Issue: 
Ecosystem-based approach
Land-sea interactions
Type of practice: 
Pilot plan
Stage of MSP cycle: 
Stocktake
Analyse spatial aspects
Cross-border / trans-national aspect: 
No

Questions this practice may help answer:

  • How are planning guidelines formulated in pilot study areas? 
  • How are LSIs articulated in MSP?

Implementation Context:

The case study, developed as part of SUPREME, overviews and analyses the geological and geographical features, natural and environmental aspects, socio-economic characteristics, coastal and land uses, technical infrastructure, nonliving resources, natural and cultural heritage in the coastal and marine area of Myrtoon Sea/Peloponnese-Crete Passage. It also reviews European and national planning policies and guidelines for the area to formulate planning guidelines for the pilot study area. 

Aspects / Objectives:

The case study was designed with the aim to:

  • protect  and  improve the  maritime  and coastal  environment,  with emphasis  on  sensitive ecosystems and on the sustainable management of natural resources
  • provide  sustainable economic  and  employment opportunities  in  the  maritime  and coastal area
  • support and promote sustainable development in the context of the blue economy,
  • identify potential  risks  for the  maritime  environment and  coastal  zones due to  climate change and the potential impact of rising sea levels
  • propose  eco-friendly measures  to  protect coastal  settlements  and cultural  heritage (marine and on land)
  • enhance the territorial cohesion and accessibility of remote coastal and island communities,
  • promote the cohesion between maritime and land spatial planning
  • coordinate cooperative actions by all stakeholders at  national, regional and local level, while ensuring cross-border cooperation with other EU Member States and third countries
  • integrate   management   of  maritime   and   coastal  zones,   taking   account  of   land-sea   use interactions   and  applying   an   ecosystem-based   approach,  based   on   the  principles   of sustainability.

Method:

This case study was divided it into 4 phases:

1.Analysis of the study area
2.Stakeholders involvement
3.Evaluation of existing situation through a SWOT Analysis and LSI 
4.Formation of planning guidelines in the pilot study area

The methodological approach applied  was  based  on the  methods  proposed in the SUPREME output “Report on potential approaches for stakeholder engagement on MSP and the evaluation of the outcome of stakeholder involvement in the pilot areas,”  and  were accordingly  adjusted to  suit  the case  of The Myrtoon Sea/ Peloponnese-Crete Passage pilot area.  

Main Outputs / Results:

Following the analysis of the geological and geographical features, natural and environmental aspects, socio-economic characteristics, coastal and land uses, technical infrastructure, nonliving resources, natural and cultural heritage in the area, a conflict and synergies matrix was developed. This matrix in turn informed the development of a series of planning guidelines for the different maritime sectors and actors involved, as  geospatially represented in the following map:

Transferability:

The planning guidelines proposed in this case study can be used as a pilot for elaborating MSPs in areas that fall under the jurisdiction of more than one regional administrative authorities and more than one terrestrial regional spatial plans.

Responsible Entity:

NTUA,UTh (with the participation of NKUA)

Costs / Funding Source:

European Maritime and Fisheries Fund of the European Union-through the Grant Agreement EASME/EMFF/2015/1.2.1.3/01/S12.742087 -SUPREME

ContactS:

Prof. Sofia Avgerinou-Kolonia
NTUA
skolonia@arch.ntua.gr

Prof. Marilena Papageorgiou
UTh
marpapageo@uth.gr