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REVIEW OF INTEGRATION AMONG PLANS FOR THE COAST IN SCOTLAND: Analysis of the SCF Coastal Plans Inventory

CHAPTER FIVE SELECTION OF CASE STUDIES

5.1 Following a structured overview of all (ICZM) planning activity, it was proposed to use a case study approach, adopting a number of case study areas to research in greater detail. A selective approach will achieve the most meaningful research results, the main interest being, not in the specific issues experienced in each, but how these issues are being managed.
To select the case studies the Inventory was reviewed and in doing so the relationships between plans and management strategies across the country with regards to their characteristics. Four basic distinctions were suggested:

• The type, number, coverage and hierarchy of plans represented (statutory, non-statutory, voluntary);
• The nature of the geographical area covered by the plan, for example, island coastal zone, coastal zone with high/low levels of urbanisation, estuaries etc.;
• The range of sectoral issues covered such as coastal erosion, tourism/fishing, energy production, etc.;
• The type of management initiative (or absence of) such as a voluntary partnership (coastal forum), ICZM initiative, ICZM plan etc.

5.2 Secondary issues considered included:

• Current activity of the coastal management forum if present;
• Project officer on board and 'functional' and the identification of the host organisation of the project officer;
• Availability of documentation

5.3 Four case studies were identified, based on geographical area:

Table 5: Case Studies

5.4 It was considered that, as the purpose of the project is to look at integration, it would be advantageous to concentrate on those areas of coast covered by a strategy, or at least a forum. Areas of coastline in Scotland which are not covered by a forum or strategy/management document include:

• West coast of Argyll and Bute and Highland
• Northernmost coastline of Scotland
• The Borders coast
• Much of the coast of Aberdeenshire
• Shetland
• Western Isles

5.5 Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire was chosen for comparison as an area without an ICZM strategy prepared by a voluntary partnership. Also, it was the area with more than one Local Authority and so had the potential to demonstrate integration between authorities. The other areas are within the one Local Authority boundary.

5.6 The chosen case study areas are illustrated in Figure 4.

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