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.

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)
• Study on the economic impact of 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
• The EU Blue Economy Report 2020
• SHAPE - Methodological handbook on MSP in the Adriatic Sea
• UNESCO - Evaluating Marine Spatial Plans
• UNESCO - MSPglobal Policy Brief: Ocean Governance and Marine Spatial Planning
• 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
• Designing Marine Spatial Planning Legislation for Implementation: A Guide for Legal Drafters
• A Marine Spatial Planning Framework for Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction

• 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'

• The blue economy Overview and EU policy framework

  The blue economy Overview and EU policy framework

• ​Study to support investment for the sustainable development of the blue economy

  ​Study to support investment for the sustainable development of the blue economy

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