Participatory Mapping for Marine Spatial Planning (Peter Menzies, UCSB) скачать в хорошем качестве

Participatory Mapping for Marine Spatial Planning (Peter Menzies, UCSB)

Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) requires both robust data and strong stakeholder engagement to succeed. Traditional approaches, which often rely on expert-driven processes with limited community input, have too frequently led to conflict, delays, and even failure. By contrast, participatory mapping provides a way to generate essential data directly from stakeholders - fishers, tourism operators, local communities, and industry - who use maps to identify areas of value and importance. These data not only improve the quality of spatial plans but also ensure that stakeholders see their voices reflected in decision-making, fostering trust and legitimacy in outcomes. Examples from around the world, including the Maldives, Belize, the Azores and California, demonstrate how participatory mapping transforms MSP. In California, an initial top-down process stalled, while a later inclusive approach led to the successful designation of 128 marine protected areas. Similarly, large-scale Ocean Use Surveys in Belize and Maldives have engaged thousands of participants, producing heat maps that reveal where fishing, tourism, and cultural practices overlap with conservation priorities. The largest Ocean Use Survey ever attempted is currently underway in Brazil, a process that will transform how Brazilians are engaged in marine planning. By creating better data, socializing planning, and generating buy-in, participatory mapping is proving indispensable for building durable, equitable marine spatial plans that balance ecological protection with human use.