Kavala coastal zone

WHO

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

Kavala Prefectural Authority (GR). It is a Local Administration Authority, between Municipalities and the Regional Authority.

WHERE

Location (community, province, country)

Kavala coastal zone, located NE of Greece, in the East Macedonia & Thrace Region.

WHEN

When did the process start? Is it ongoing?

1998 and it is still ongoing

HOW

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

It is an action, part of the Terra CZM Project, co-funded by the EU Terra Programme (Article 10 - ERDF)

MAIN ISSUES

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

Kavala Prefecture area: 2113 sq.km. Population: 150,000. Coast length: 180 km. It consists of 11 Municipalities (6 coastal). Economy: agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, marble quarrying, oil production & refinery, trade, tourism.
Coast characteristics: rocky stretches with sandy beaches, with unplanned concentration of holiday homes and towns sprawling.
Major ecosystem: Nestos Delta nad lagoons, protected by RAMSAR Treaty.

The main problems of the area are:

  • Unplanned urbanization of the coast
  • Deterioration of coastal ecosystems due to intensive agriculture, illegal breeding in forest areas, tourism development, uncontrolled building, public works, etc.

Administrative problems:

  • Lack of coordination between Central Governmental Bodies and Local Authorities on spatial and development planning. Jurisdiction overlapping.
  • Poor human and technical resources in the Local Authorities (Prefecture and Municipalities) for preparation and monitoring the development plans. (e.g. lack of accurate and updated maps).
  • Complicated and unstable legislation on rural - coastal development.

PROGRESS & CONTINUETY

Is the project / process having a follow up.

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

The following three main actions of the project are continuing:

  1. Establishment and operation of a Coastal Observatory
  2. Preparation of a draft ICZM Plan and establishment of a ICZM procedure
  3. Networking with European partners and dissemination of results to other Greek Local Authorities

LESSONS LEARNT

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

In order to gain public support and local administration cooperation, you have to give first practical tools and solutions related to local issues and problems. (e.g. use of GIS applications in coastal zone management).

FURTHER INFORMATION

Who can provide further information with contacts?

George Kritikos
Kavala Prefecture Development Agency
tel: 0030-51-291285
fax: 0030-51-291286
e-mail: aenak@otenet.gr