MSP Library

This page presents an overview of the key documents outlining what MSP is and how the process might be initiated and managed. A short introduction to MSP can be found here, along with a Glossary defining the most relevant concepts.

Please note that this section of the EU MSP Platform website is not currently being updated with new information. However, the resources throughout our website remain relevant to our mission of sharing knowledge and experiences on MSP in the EU.

Documents

• European Maritime Spatial Planning Directive (DIRECTIVE 2014/89/EU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 23 July 2014 establishing a framework for maritime spatial planning)
• UNESCO 'step-by-step approach to MSP'
• BaltSeaPlan Findings: experiences and lessons
• PlanCOAST - Handbook on Integrated Maritime Spatial Planning
• PartiSEAPate - Handbook on multi-level consultations in MSP
• The Blue Economy Report 2019
• SHAPE - Methodological handbook on MSP in the Adriatic Sea
• UNESCO - Evaluating Marine Spatial Plans
• Marine Ecosystem and Management - Insights from Practitioners: Challenges and Solutions for Ocean Planning
• HELCOM-VASAB - Guideline for the implementation of ecosystem-based approach in MSP in the Baltic Sea area
• HELCOM-VASAB - Guideline on transboundary consultations, public participation and co-operation
• Ocean Zoning: Making Marine Management More Effective
• Handbook of Ocean Resources and Management
• Environmental Planning for Oceans and Coasts
• LME:LEARN MSP Toolkit

• The Ecosystem Approach in Ocean Planning and Governance

  The Ecosystem Approach in Ocean Planning and Governance

• 'MSP - Past, Present, Future'

  'MSP - Past, Present, Future'

• 'Cross-border consultation on Maritime Spatial PlansCross-border consultation on Maritime Spatial Plans'

  'Cross-border consultation on Maritime Spatial PlansCross-border consultation on Maritime Spatial Plans'

• 'Addressing conflicting spatial demands in MSPAddressing conflicting spatial demands in MSP'

  'Addressing conflicting spatial demands in MSPAddressing conflicting spatial demands in MSP'

Videos

• BaltSPACE Interactive Tool on MSP
• WWF - Become a Maritime Spatialist in 10 Minutes
• Blue Solutions / MARISMA / GEZ - Marine Spatial Planning in a Nutshell
• UK Marine Management Organisation - 'What is Marine Planning?'
• Estonian Ministry of the Finance - 'Planning Fundamentals'
• MSP Scenarios for the Blue Economy - Plan4Blue project

Definitions

''Maritime spatial planning means a process by which relevant Member State’s authorities analyse and organise human activities in marine areas to achieve ecological, economic and social objectives'‘
Source: Art. 3 of the EU Directive on MSP (2014/89/EU)

''The public process of analyzing and allocating the spatial and temporal distribution of human activities to achieve ecological, economic, and social objectives that are usually specified through a political process.”
Ehler & Douvere 2007, “Visions for a Sea Change”, UNESCO/IOC