Analyzing Future Conditions
A key task of marine spatial planning (MSP) is to define:(a) Where do we want to be?
(b) How can we get there?
MSP is essentially a future-oriented activity. Its purpose is to help envision and create a desirable future and enable proactive decision-making in the short run to move toward what is desired.
Consequently, planning should not be limited only to defining and analyzing existing conditions and maintaining the status quo, but should reveal possible alternative futures of how the area could look like in another 10, 15, or 20 years from now.
Various countries have used different ways to define and analyze future conditions for MSP. We are currently compiling a set of good practices to illustrate how countries have done this successfully. We expect to have it available here by the end of June 2009.
You can read about an initial set of good practices about defining and analyzing future conditions in Step 6 (p. 63-70) of the guide "Marine spatial planning: A step-by-step approach toward ecosystem-based management". Download (pdf, 1.55 MB)
Last updated: 28 January 2010