Indicators, emergetic thresholds and constraints for coastal spatial planning and management

The article describes the method chosen for the definition of a development scenario and a set of indicators for integrated coastal zones management. The case studies are in the Center and North Adriatic Sea (Italy, Mediterranean Sea). Selected areas are the Lagoon of Venice, the Province of Rimini and the Conero coastal area. The development of indices and indicators set focuses on sub-regional and local sustainability of coastal management. A multi-scale and diachronic approach based on landscape and seascape ecology is build in order to develop the dynamics of indices set. The indices results are the threshold for carbon, ecological and space footprints. The used approach provides the following results: identification of conflicts and urban sprawl, assessment of degree of sustainability (carbon footprint, ecological footprint, emergy and LDI), assessment of change during the last 30 years. Indicators are developed dealing with both landscape ecology and health of ecosystems. Modeling these changes is critical for formulating effective environmental policies and management strategies The developed model provides suitability maps per each area in order to maximize different policy objectives reducing the coastal conflicts. A final scenario is proposed and assessed in each case studied.