Introduction to special issue on the European Demonstration Programme on integrated coastal zone management

The coastal lands and waters of Europe have been used by man for millennia. Over the last 10 years there has been growing recognition of the damage that numerous forms of human activity have imposed on coastal systems and natural resources. There has been a corresponding growth in awareness of the need for a more integrated approach to coastal management in Europe. Such approaches have been promoted through political decisions, policy development, and, to a limited extent, through legislation at European and national levels. The European Demonstration Programme on Integrated Coastal Zone Management has accelerated this process by stimulating a broad debate on coastal management practice within Europe, which led to a proposal by the European Commission for nonbinding European legislation in the form of a recommendation that encourages member states to implement integrated coastal zone management (ICZM). Though nonbinding, the recently adopted recommendation is likely to further stimulate the development of ICZM in Europe with a shift from the current project-by-project approach to a more strategic approach. This issue presents the findings of five thematic studies that were undertaken as part of the Demonstration Programme as well as four case studies.