Integrated Coastal Zone Management of Natura 2000 and cultural heritage sites in Calabrian coastal landscape (Southern Italy) (original) (raw)
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Sustainability, 2021
Calabria is a region of southern Italy characterized by several natural and heritage sites located on seaboard areas, within a distance of 300 m from the coast. In fact, 58 Natura 2000 sites and 63 cultural heritage sites (42.9% of which overlap with the Natura 2000 ones) fall within the borders of the region. Within this context, this study has analyzed the connection between natural and cultural goods in the region, considering both seaboard and human impact risk conditions. The results evidenced that 50% and 21% of the natural and cultural heritage sites, respectively, are exposed to the risk of increasing coastal erosion and heavy human impact. Moreover, in order to highlight how cultural heritage sites could be integrated into natural ones within a process of global coastal area management, three case studies have been discussed. In fact, a new kind of approach to coastal regions through an Integrated Coastal Zone Management is necessary in order to valorize the natural and cul...
Rendiconti Lincei. Scienze Fisiche e Naturali, 2020
The coasts of the Mediterranean Sea are characterized by the presence of many archaeological remains (ports, protection structures, villas, fish tanks, etc.) that have been emplaced since the Roman Age and have persisted until present day. Due to their archaeological value, these structures represent an inestimable cultural heritage at regional and national scale. As consequence of local sea level variations, most of these structures are today submerged and, for this reason, they represent an important geo-archaeological proxy for the reconstruction of the ancient coastal landscape. Nevertheless, marine processes, such as coastal erosion and/or flooding, are among the main factors contributing to their damage and, hence, protection and conservation strategies need to be enhanced. In this paper, the vulnerability to marine factors of five coastal archaeological sites has been assessed. The investigated sites are located along the Posillipo Hill, one of the most beautiful and attractive coastal sector in the Gulf of Naples (Southern Italy). The analysis has been carried out by applying a vulnerability index method, which is based on the combination of a number of different indicators accounting for both marine processes and the typology of the remains. The results of this study allowed identifying the most vulnerable sites that require, for their conservation and sustainable usability, urgent management strategies.
Coastal cultural heritage: a management tool
Journal of cultural heritage, 2002
Two parallel processes have marked coastal realities in many parts of the world. The former process consisted in the design and the dissemination of integrated coastal management programmes and actions consistent with the prescriptions from Agenda 21, and from the relevant guidelines by intergovernmental and local organisations. The latter one consisted in the increasing importance that coastal cultural heritage has acquired either in the social perception of coastal reality, and in the prospects of driving coastal systems towards sustainable development. Hence, the need of framing the coastal cultural heritage into coastal management programmes, strategies and actions tailored to the principle of integration, which is the key word of the Agenda 21 approach, has come to the fore, and gained importance. To meet this need, the Guidelines for management of coastal cultural heritage, dealing with conceptual and methodological frameworks, and designing operational approaches were worked out for the use by decision-makers, managers and planners on the local scale. The Guidelines, which by now are available in the Italian language, have multimedia features and interactive properties, and are available in a CD-ROM format. They were devised in the framework of the Progetto Finalizzato Beni Culturali (Special Project for the Safeguard of Cultural Heritage) convened by the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (the Italian National Research Council). This paper aims at introducing their relevant background stimuli, their features, and their cardinal use criteria.
Sustainable development prospects for Italian coastal cultural heritage: a Ligurian case study
Journal of Cultural Heritage, 2003
This paper aims to present preliminary key findings from an investigation conducted in the framework of the Progetto Finalizzato Beni Culturali (Special Project for Safeguarding Cultural Heritage), convened by the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR-National Research Council). The investigations focused on the role of cultural heritage as a positive force in the operation of integrated coastal management programmes in ways consistent with the application of Agenda 21 in the Italian coastal zone (http://www.un.org/esa/ sustdev/agenda21.htm). The region of Liguria, in northwestern Italy facing the Ligurian Sea, has been taken as a case study because it is one of the richest Italian regions as regards cultural heritage and one of the most subject to human pressure. The initial phase of the research focused on the role of museums, with the aim of devising scenarios to integrate them optimally into coastal programmes and plans. It also considered a number of landscape and cultural characteristics of the region taking into account the influence exerted by the geographical distribution of these resources. The paper reports on this stage by reviewing planning and the role of coastal cultural heritage in Italy; exploring the Ligurian geographical context and its significance for the nature and distribution of cultural heritage resources; examining a discernable expansion of cultural heritage tourism within the region; sketching scenarios for encouraging this development based on museum-orientated itineraries; and identifying a range of obstacles confronting the successful creation of such itineraries. The ultimate aim of the work is the development of guidelines to be addressed to decision-making centres, and particularly to coastal regional authorities to ensure the optimum inclusion of cultural heritage in the framework of coastal management programmes and planning.
The present research investigates problems related to Mediterranean coastal cities with specific regards to stratified sites, characterized by a relevant cultural heritage associated with an outstanding landscape. This heritage is generally exposed to threats that are typical of coastal environment, such as damage by sea salts, wind erosion, corrosion from pollution, as well as anthropic risks such as urban development, pressure from tourism and vandalism. The case study of the city of Cagliari is particularly relevant in this context because of its strategic location in the heart of the Mediterranean. The relationship of the city towards the sea has changed over time, from being a defensive stronghold to becoming an international tourist centre, oriented towards the exploitation of its cultural heritage. This transformation was made by means of a wide expansion outside the walled perimeter and the construction of new hotels. New buildings were constructed using the same brightly coloured materials, following the tradition of the old town. Recently, even the historic town has discovered its touristic potential with the conversion of old residences into small hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation. Risks connected with human and touristic activities seem to be even more dangerous than the degradation caused by natural phenomena. For these reasons, the research highlights the importance, especially for coastal cities, of a multidisciplinary strategic plan and of an integrated tool for monument's preservation and for the monitoring of urban transformation.
Ocean & Coastal Management, 2019
This paper presents a methodological approach for the determination of the vulnerability of coastal archaeological sites to marine and aeolian processes, e.g. wave erosion, temporary flooding, wind erosion, etc. The methodology allows defining different degree of vulnerability, taking into account both the potential impacts of the physical processes and the architectural characteristics of the investigated archaeological structures. The method is based on the application of specific vulnerability matrices, accurately defined for each coastal zone (i.e. the backshore, foreshore, nearshore and offshore) where archaeological sites are actually located. Results allow identifying the vulnerability level of each specific site and the index therefore represents an operative tool for the definition of most suitable management actions for the protection and conservation of the archaeological heritage. In order to provide a first application of the proposed methodology, all coastal archaeological sites located in the Gulf of Naples (Southern Italy) have been investigated. The results are presented as a vulnerability map and highlight as seven archaeological sites present a high vulnerability level, four of which are located in two submerged archaeological parks (Underwater Archaeological parks of Baia and Gaiola). The other three sites (Terma Ginnasio, Pezzolo and Tiberio villas, 1st century BC) have no legal protection and therefore they require priority monitoring programs and preservation actions.
Integrated coastal zone management in Italy: a gap between science and policy
Journal of Coastal Conservation
This paper introduces the need, in Italian countries, of a real integration of scientific knowledge into coastal policy. Actually, in Italy, still exists a gap between Science and Policy, interfering the implementation of an Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) process, while there is no coordination between local, regional and national authorities. This lack of an overall strategy has induced some regions to adopt regional plans for the sustainable development of their coastal areas, to compensate the shortcomings of a national planning. Besides, along Italian coasts, there is a heavy landscape urbanization producing conditions of environmental decay and highlighting the risk of erosions in littoral areas. In this critical context, it is necessary to adopt an effective Integrated Coastal Zone Management policy, to connect ecosystem and environmental approaches with the social and economic development of coastal areas. So, in Italian landscape, it is necessary to integrate the national cultural heritage into coastal management, joining scientific and cultural issues. In this framework, ICZM process could play an important role connecting scientists and policy makers towards an effective integration for the social and economic growth of local people.
Sustainability, 2018
This study defines and discusses a spatial planning approach, which can be integrated into conservation measures, regarding the sites of the Natura 2000 Network—established under the provisions of Directive No. 92/43/EEC (the “Habitats” Directive), and Directive No. 2009/147/EC (the “Birds” Directive)—into the regulations of marine protected areas. The protected marine area of the Island of Tavolara and Cape Coda Cavallo, located in North-Eastern Sardinia (which is overlapped by a Natura 2000 Site) is the spatial context for the implementation of the proposed methodology. The comprehensive outcome of this study, that is, the implementation of the proposed spatial planning approach into regulations regarding the previously mentioned protected marine areas, is particularly relevant for the scientific and technical debate on spatial planning. This debate is related to protection of nature and natural resources, since the issue of integration of the conservation measures related to Natu...
Integrated Approach in Management of Coastal Cultural Heritage
Humans have had a long history of interconnectedness with the sea and ocean due to the use of natural resources available in the coastal areas. These interactions have influenced the natural landscape and play a crucial role in the formation of coastal cultural heritage. Coastal cultural heritage, a continuum of land and sea, is an important part of our cultural resources in the coastal areas. Presently, coastal cultural heritage has not been well integrated into coastal management plans as a cultural resource. The qualitative and comparative analysis of coastal management experiences show that, despite the fact that holistic coastal management plans (such as integrated coastal zone management (ICZM)) have theoretically addressed the importance of cultural ecosystems, cultural resources have mostly been overlooked in these plans. Regulatory regimes and management strategies for land and sea are separate even though the line between the sea and land is arbitrary. Separation of regulatory regimes and management strategies for land and sea has hindered the ability to achieve an integrated approach for cultural heritage management in the coastal areas. This fact negatively affects the protection of coastal cultural heritage as an entity. To achieve an integrated management, the present research identifies two sub-problems. One problem is with justifying values within integrative dimensions and understanding the role of these dimensions as control groups. The second problem is ambiguity in defining the coastal cultural area. Acknowledging the similarities between natural resources and cultural resources, this study relied on learning from natural resource experiences and adapting social theories for re-evaluating and re-defining coastal cultural heritage. Combining the applications of integrated complexity theory, social-cultural memory and theory of middle-ground proved to offer a powerful system for evaluation and defining coastal cultural heritage. This dissertation offers two tools for the integrated management of coastal cultural heritage. One is an integrative evaluation system, and the other is a coastal cultural middle-ground model. The integrative evaluation tool provides a systematic method to address different concerns from natural, socio-economic, political and cultural dimensions. Nonetheless, designing and implementing such an integrated system for management of coastal cultural heritage may cause conflicts among different stakeholders. Therefore, in order to deal with these conflicts and promote a common understanding among different dimensions and disciplines, this dissertation adapted the theory of middle-ground. The aim was not only to mediate encounters among different stakeholders, but also to define an area of maximum cultural values for adaption of an integrated coastal management strategy. Adapting the theory of middle ground and taking into consideration and recognition the links and connections among people, their heritage, and the environment ultimately results in the formation of a definitive area of cultural values—or as it is called in this dissertation: coastal cultural middle ground. Delineating coastal cultural middle-ground highlights the importance of coastal cultural heritage as one entity in management schemes—not as separate entities on land and underwater. In order to examine the proposed tools, the Belgian coast has been chosen as the case study. In line with the current project in Belgium—the SEARCH (Archaeological Heritage in the North Sea) project— which aims to develop an efficient evaluation method and proposals for sustainable management of coastal cultural heritage in the Belgian Part of the North Sea, the proposed methods will be tested for the Belgian coastal cultural heritage. The objective of this case study is to create a methodology that leads to a comprehensive understanding of many aspects and issues related to the management of coastal cultural heritage in Belgium.
Coastal Cultural Heritage: A resource to be included in integrated coastal zone management
Maritime and coastal cultural landscape, encompassing land and sea, and underwater is an important part of our cultural resources in the coastal areas. Although, integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) has theoretically addressed the importance of cultural ecosystems, cultural resources have mostly been overlooked in holistic coastal management plans. Overlooking cultural resources results in loss of cultural identity associated with certain habitats; loss of tourism, recreational and educational opportunities; decline in local ecological knowledge, skills and technology pertaining to habitat management; and loss of opportunities for social and cultural capital. Literature and practice show that there is no proper definition and evaluation of coastal cultural heritage is available and coastal cultural heritage has not been considered as a resource with high level of benefit for development and people. Acknowledging the importance of coastal cultural heritage as a resource in ICZM, and the role that ICZM can play in linking land and sea management approaches highlights the necessity of new methods for defining and evaluation of coastal cultural heritage. This paper proposes models and guidelines for defining and evaluating coastal cultural heritage to be included in Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) and ICZM as a resource through application of the integrative complexity theory and learning from the experiences in management of other coastal resources. The results will be an integrative evaluation method and a guideline for delineating coastal cultural areas. The method and tool will be examined through the case of Ostend in Belgium.