Christina KellyUK-Ireland Planning Research Conference

September 2014

Introduction Christina Kelly

School of Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering

Queen’s University BelfastEmail: ckelly16@qub.ac.uk

Co-researchers: Professor Geraint Ellis (

g.ellis@qub.ac.uk) and Dr Wesley Flannery (w.flannery@qub.ac.uk)

Estuarine & Coastal Ecosystems Characteristics – physico-chemical,

biological Historical significance – navigation, ports Uses – food, aggregates, reclamation, flood

relief Human Activities – fishing, aquaculture,

dredging and disposal, renewables, transportation, infrastructure, tourism

Pressures & Impacts

Estuarine Management in Ireland Complex issues – water quality, biodiversity,

spatial management and resource use Inter-jurisdictional, political and administrative

challenges Mainly a sectoral/ fragmented approach – no

integrated environmental management (IEM) No national policy for Integrated

Estuarine/Coastal Management/ MSP in Ireland

No similar National Estuary Program (USA) or Estuaries Initiative (UK)

No dedicated marine agency or ‘one-stop’ shop

Draft Foreshore Bill 2013

Acronyms: DCENR – Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources DECLG - Department of Environment, Community and Local GovernmentDAFM – Department of Agriculture, Food and the MarineABP – An Bord Pleanála EPA – Environment Protection Agency OPW – Office of Public WorksEIA – Environmental Impact Assessment AA – Appropriate AssessmentForeshore Bill (Draft) - General Scheme of Maritime Area and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2013

Emerging Principles of IEM Sustainability Inter-relationship and integration Environmental justice Equitable access to environmental resources Holistic decision-making Informed decision-making Principle of the right to develop Environmental safeguards Precautionary principle Polluter pays principle Stakeholder engagement Transparency principle and other process-

oriented principles Adaptive Continual Improvement

Spatial Integration

Integrated Environmental Management

Organisational

Integration

Sectoral Integratio

n

Informed decision-making

Principle of the

right to develop

Holistic decision-making

Environmental

safeguards

Precautionary principle

Polluter pays

Stakeholder

engagement

Transparency

Inter -relationsh

ip & integratio

n Environmental justice

Equitable access

Adaptive

Continual improvemen

t

Sustainability

Supporting IEM principles

Case Study areas

Shannon Estuary

Liffey Estuary/ Dublin Bay

Preliminary Integrated Concepts Sustainable Development Ecosystem based approach Integrated Coastal Zone

Management Marine Spatial Planning

Next Stage - Empirical Research Pilot a Normative Model in the Liffey/

Dublin Bay and Shannon Estuary Regions Stakeholder Engagement SWOT Analysis Review of International Estuary

Programmes i.e. Chesapeake Bay, USA and Severn Estuary, UK

Refining the EMMS model for Irish Context

EMMS plan template

Thank you

Any Questions Ckelly16@qub.ac.uk

http://bit.ly/IMMERSE

Funding: EPA and Department of Environment, Community and Local Government