WHO

Co-ordinating body or lead partner of ICZM process or project (with a short description)

Region of Epirus - Department of Environment and Spatial Planning

WHERE

Location (community, province, country)

The coastal zone of Epirus, northwest of Greece, Ionian sea

WHEN

When did the process start? Is it ongoing?

September 1997 / June 2001

HOW

Who funded and/or initiated it? Is it part of a programme?

Co-funded by ERDF (TERRA CZM Project), and the Greek Ministry of the Environment, Spatial Planning and Public Works

MAIN ISSUES

What are the key issues, the main problems or conflicts?

The main spatial and environmental issues of the area are the following: uncontrolled tourist and urban development in the countryside, loss of agricultural land, deterioration of the natural and cultural environment because of the development, impacts because of the public works, concentration of activities by the coastal zone while nearby there are abandoned areas, uncompleted management of solid and liquid waste.
The main problems for implementing I.C.Z.M. in the area were:

1. Unorganized and dispersed data for the natural environment
2. Presence of many bodies involved in the management of the area - lack of coordination.
3. Unsufficient level of awareness about the sense of "sustainable development"

In order to cope with the above problems the following tasks were organized in the project:

1. Creation of a data bank and G.I.S. for the data regarding the environment, the land use, the statutory framework.
2. Creation of a coastal forum with the participation of all the bodies involved.
3. Construction of footpaths which connect the coastal area with places inland in order to promote sustainable tourism.
4. Environmental awareness by seminars, meetings, brochures etc.

PROGRESS & CONTINUETY

Is the project / process having a follow up.

If not: when did the progress stop and what the main reason was?

Before the end of the project another complementary project in the framework of ECOS-OUVERTURE started.Some actions will continue under INTERREG III

What sort of lessons can be learnt from this example? Characterise briefly

• The municipal authorities of the coastal zone can play a very important role in the process of I.C.Z.M., under the umbrella of the Region.
• People need visible actions (physical objects) and not only theories.
• It is better to start with pilot projects in small areas, while it is difficult to handle a big area
• The stakeholders must become "partners"
• The public participation is very important in I.C.Z.M. process.

Who can provide further information with contacts?

Barbara Tzialla
Region of Epirus - Department of Environment and Spatial Planning.
Stoa Orphea, Ioannina, Greece
Tel+Fax +3065138694
E-mail: ipirpeho@otenet.gr