Journal of Coastal Zone Management

Abstract

International and National Principles and Area Based Local Application for Sustainable Coastal Development

Jeff McCarthy and Malcolm Thomas

Managing urban development in coastal zones is important not only for the ecological quality of such zones, and also for sustainable coastal tourism. International and national principles of integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) need to interact with variable local realities if ICZM is to succeed. After briefly discussing how international experience informed national ICZM policy in South Africa, a case study is used to illustrate the need for local adaptability and implementation. The case study is of one local Conservancy’s efforts to ensure estuarine quality and harmonious integration of urban development within natural coastal vegetation, where financial and other constraints otherwise determined an unfortunate reliance upon septic tank sewerage. The case illustrates the importance of drawing upon local voluntary efforts to adapt and implement national and international policies.