Title: Scenario tools for environmental planning. Supporting integrated coastal zone and water resources management in two Greek islands

Authors: Alexandra Mexa, Giorgos Kallis, Harry Coccossis, Dionyssia Hatzilacou

Addresses: Ministry of Development, Imittou 29, Vrilissia, 15235, Greece. ' ICREA and ICTA (Institut de Ciencia i Tecnologia Ambientals), Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, ETSE, QC/3095 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona. ' Department of Planning and Regional Development, University of Thessaly, Pedion Areos, Volos 38 334, Greece. ' National Center for the Environment and Sustainable Development (NCESD), Epavli Kazouli, 241 Kifissias Avenue, 14561 Kiffissia, Greece

Abstract: This article critically examines the usefulness of scenarios in supporting environment-development planning, drawing from the experience of two differentiated case studies: integrated coastal zone in the Greek island of Rhodes (a country pilot project of the Coastal Area Management Programme implemented under the auspices of UNEP|s Mediterranean Action Plan) and a more recent application on Integrated Water Resources Management in the Greek island of Naxos. In the first case, the expert-led scenarios have provided input to the formal spatial planning. They were constructed in a systematic manner, incorporating spatial particularities, adopting a top-down and a bottom-up approach. Scenarios for Rhodes explored future opportunities, constraints and threats arising from a variety of development-environment scenarios. In the case of Naxos, scenarios were developed through a participatory process. They described various political and economic futures for the island, focussing mainly on water resources management. The advantages and limitations from the different use of scenario method are discussed.

Keywords: CAMP; Coastal Area Management Programme; environmental planning; Greece; ICZM; integrated coastal zone management; scenarios; scenario workshops; water resources management; Rhodes; integrated water resources management; Naxos; Greek islands.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2009.027191

International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, 2009 Vol.11 No.1/2/3, pp.118 - 142

Published online: 17 Jul 2009 *

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