Title: 3rd International Conference on the Management of Coastal Recreational Resources
Location: Grosseto, ITALY
Link out: Click here
Start Date: 2010-10-27
End Date: 2010-10-30
Description:
The conference is the third in the biennial series on *Management of Coastal Recreational Resources (MCRR)* organized by the Euro-Mediterranean Centre on Insular Coastal Dynamics (ICoD) within the International Environment Institute at the University of Malta. This international event is characterized by its focus on selected coastal management issues relating to beaches, yacht marinas, ecotourism & conservation, and the impact of coastal hazards on such resources.
Increasing human settlement of the coastal zones and the exploitation of their natural resources for livelihood, sustenance, trade and recreational purposes have led to their deterioration and in some cases, loss. Although the ecological, economic and social importance of natural coastal resources have long been acknowledged, anthropogenic activities continue to be the major culprit for the negative pressures on the coast. Coastal urbanisation & tourism, construction of ports, harbours and yacht marinas and their associated activities have resulted among other, in coastal erosion, beach sediment loss, air and seawater pollution and loss of coastal aesthetic beauty.
Such problems are now being compounded by the impacts of climate change such as sea level rise and increasing frequency, intensity and erratic nature of storms. Other coastal hazards such as tsunamis, rip currents and beach erosion also threaten the coastal environment and those who live there. At the same time, the ongoing growth in tourism and coastal urbanization, particularly in places such as the Mediterranean region, will result in further human pressures on the coastal zones.
In addressing these issues, sustainable management practices need to be identified and implemented. Innovative beach management schemes and quality evaluation systems, beach nourishment and dune management potentially represent effective management practices to reverse negative trends. If developed and managed in an environmentally sensitive manner, yacht marinas may offer an acceptable alternative form of coastal recreation. Marina and yachting-related activities such as repair and maintenance need to be compliant with international regulations not only on paper but also in practice so as to minimize the impact on water quality. Eco-tourism and conservation are often misused terms, either intentionally, as a marketing ploy, or unintentionally due to a lack of understanding. Yet, when applied to coastal recreation, they both hold to heart noble concepts of environmental sustainability, indigenous cultural sustainability, educational or learning opportunity components and the promotion of natural tourism attractions rather than their man-made counterparts. However, given the current climate of awareness, such strategies are unlikely to appeal to the masses who presently still seek sand, sea, sun vacations within a wide variety of areas that may or may not also be areas of outstanding natural beauty. The challenge therefore, is to manage and synergise the strengths of all these actors and elements while striking an acceptable balance between competing needs.
Conference Location
The conference will be held in the historic city of Grosseto situated in the magnificent region of Tuscany in Central Italy. Grosseto lies in a green plain traced by the flow of the Ombrone River and its origins go back to the powerful Etruscan and Roman city of Roselle. There is a good train connection between Rome (Fiumicino) and Grosseto on an hourly basis and the trip takes 2.5 to 3 hours. A taxi from Grosseto train station to any of a number of hotels in the city costs around 12 euros. Grosseto’s proximity to a number of attractive historic locations in Tuscany also offers an excellent incentive for extending your stay in this region. The city is 60 km away from Siena – one of Italy’s best preserved medieval towns, 130 km away from Florence and 155km away from Pisa.
Target Audience
The conference is aimed at academics in the natural and social sciences, researchers dealing with coastal hazards reflected by ongoing climate change, project managers, tourism professionals, infrastructure investors and staff from the private sector and government agencies whose work involves integrated coastal area management practices and the development and management of coast-related recreational amenities. The conference will also be of interest to managers of natural resources and environmental agencies, urban and coastal planners, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), environmental economists and coastal municipalities.
Conference Topics
All abstracts received by the deadline will be considered for placement. Presentation topics include the following but the organisers are open to new suggestions by prospective authors:
Theme 1: Beach Management
Innovations in beach management schemes and rating systems, beach nourishment, beach sediment modelling, conservation issues, beach ecology, dune management, health and safety issues, bathing water quality issues, policy and guidelines, socio-economic aspects, cost benefit analysis, feasibility studies, environmental economics, shoreline management and erosion control, utilization of rocky shores for bathing purposes.
Theme 2: Yacht Marinas and Yachting-Related Activities
Facility siting, environmentally sensitive development, water quality issues, safety aspects, marketing issues, award systems for marinas and ratings, overwintering facilities, yachting tourism, specialized aspects – super yachts, ancillary services – yacht repair and maintenance, ship chandler and other speciality trades, economics of yachting activities.
Theme 3: Coastal Ecotourism
Coastal footpaths, diving holidays, cultural ecotourism and preserving the social fabric, heritage coast concept, issues of sustainability and carrying capacity, coastal nature reserves – management of environmentally sensitive areas, economic evaluation of ecotourism, other coastal leisure activities
Theme 4: Coastal Hazards
Types of coastal hazards (tsunamis, sea level rise, storm surges, erosion, rip currents, drowning, oil/chemical spills) and their generation, climate change issues related to coastal hazards, impacts of coastal hazards on society, environment and economy, impacts on marine and terrestrial ecosystems, mitigation & adaptation, assessment of vulnerability, early warning systems, mapping, law enforcement and protection.
Abstract Submission: 15 March 2010
Registration: 30 September 2010
Early Registration: 14 June 2010
Contact: Mr Robert Caruana
E-Mail: mcrr3-2010@um.edu.mt
Telephone: +356 2340 2879
Fax: +356 2340 2880
