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Scottish Coastal Forum: Current ICZM initiatives: Spring 2004
Aberdeen's Coast
Aberdeen's entire eastern boundary is formed by the North Sea. Cliffs dominate the southern part, which is mainly undeveloped and retains areas of natural coastal heath and grassland with scattered small settlements and expanding communities. Along most of this section the east-coast mainline railway has formed a boundary to development, apart from agricultural uses.
At the mouth of the River Dee is the commercial port of Aberdeen. North of here is the pleasure beach with associated development that is managed as a tourism and commercial centre.
Donmouth Local Nature Reserve and sand dunes north of the City are managed primarily for nature conservation, education and public access.
Much of the publicly accessible coastline is managed by the Council: from the intensive regime of the Pleasure Beach and Queen's Links recreation areas, through to the mainly non-interventionist approach on the more natural cliffs and inlets.
South of the River Dee, much of the coastline is part of a new EU funded project NAVE Nortrail which is linking nations around the North Sea basin to promote tourism and support associated economic regeneration around a coastal walking route.
Many of the coastal and maritime habitats of Aberdeen will be highlighted in Local Biodiversity Habitat Action Plans, currently under development.
Colin Stuart, Principal Officer, Aberdeen City Council,
E-mail:COLINS@arts-rec.aberdeen.net.uk
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