Strymonikos coastal zone, Greece - success story in the making
Pollution and environmental damage are already problems along the coast of Strymonikos. The tourism industry, as many places world-wide, is rapidly growing in this area and there is the potential for future environmental problems. Authorities are aware of these pending issues and are facing them sooner rather than later.
The implementation of sustainable development was constrained by the complex jurisdictions of the various administrative bodies involved in the development of the area, the fragmented land-use planning, and insufficient environmental awareness at all levels of decision making. To combat these obstacles administrative bodies were convened from all regions, towns, and levels of government concerned. With this unity a co-ordinated approach to problems was possible. And the community was kept involved through public meetings.
The results were that:
- All laws concerning the environment and coast were collected together and all economic uses were noted.
- Management objectives were decided upon.
- Information sharing meant that geographical information system (GIS) maps of the area were produced. An information centre was founded so the public can access information on the area easily, thus educating and disseminating information and keeping people aware.
- Local authorities were convinced that environmental impact studies were key to future economic success.
The lack of legal framework for the integrated management plan (which is typical in many cases attempting ICM) meant that at the end of the project there is still progress to be made. However the region has come a long way since plan initiation three years previously.