Coastal management and governance : stakeholders’ participation in the spatial planning process

Abstract

Coastal Zones are facing increased pressures from urbanisation and tourism, especially in Small Island States like Malta. There is an urgent need to balance the use of the coast with the protection of the marine ecosystem. The dissertation explores how participatory approaches can contribute to coastal management strategies which aim to support both marine protection and equitable use of the coast. This study examines the key challenges of participatory planning within Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) in Malta. Collaboration between stakeholders is regarded as critical in the field of ICM to holistically address social, economic, and environmental issues. Focusing on stakeholder dynamics and participatory planning, the study follows a qualitative two-phased approach. First, insights were gathered from a focus group discussion with key experts to highlight existing challenges and investigate the potential for stakeholder-led ICM in Malta. This helped inform the design of the second phase, which consisted of a role-play workshop simulating a hypothetical public consultation session based in St Julian’s. The role-play workshop demonstrates the stakeholder dynamics involved during decision-making sessions. The research demonstrates how the concept of gamification can be implemented to enhance public engagement in coastal management in the form of serious games. Findings show how participation and engagement influence stakeholder perceptions during decision-making processes. The study contributes to participatory planning literature by demonstrating how focus groups and serious games can generate rich qualitative insights into stakeholder involvement and inclusive decision-making. Overall, the study emphasises the value and potential of participatory tools within complex coastal management processes.