Final Report Summary - TRANSMASP (Transboundary Maritime Spatial Planning) IntroductionFrom a public law and policy perspective, the TransMaSP (Transboundary Maritime Spatial Planning) project explores the impact of legal and natural boundaries in the implementation of Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) which is a tool to integrate sea use management. In order to feed this research with concrete elements, TransMaSP has analyzed a case study: the French-Belgian marine and coastal zone boundary (encompassing the Nord-Pas-de-Calais French region and the Belgian coastline) which is a highly used space together with a valuable environment. ObjectivesTransMasp aims to analyze the impact of natural border (Land/Sea) and political border (French/Belgian) on the implementation of MSP. It endeavors to contribute to the understanding and development of the concept of Maritime Spatial Planning, its relation with Integrated Coastal Zone Management and Ecosystem Approach. It has combined the abovementioned theories in order to confront a fundamental question: how to keep sea use management coherent in a transboundary context?MethodIn order to achieve these objectives, the analysis of the French-Belgian case study has been conducted. Besides of desk research, qualitative interviews were conducted. A guidance committee gathering a large panel of stakeholders (from administration, NGO, private sector and scientists) was set up. It has followed the project progresses and advised on further developments.For more information, please visit the TransMaSP website: http://www.transmasp.ugent.be/ Related documents final1-transmasp-summary-report-fv.pdf
