Environment and development in coastal regions and in small islands

An integrated approach

Continental coastal regions and small islands are particularly challenging to manage. Their physical, ecological and socio-cultural complexity requires managers to cope with high levels of uncertainty.

Rising to this challenge, an approach known as integrated coastal management (ICM) aims at coordinated planning and action involving communities, stakeholder groups and managers at local and national levels, as well as specialists in both natural and social sciences.

By building upon and inter-linking these various sectors of society, ICM is breaking new ground towards improving the quality of life for coastal populations. Nonetheless, much remains to be done to develop, test and apply cross-sectoral strategies which can resolve tensions and offer equitable and sustainable solutions.

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