Transboundary Marine Spatial Planning in European Sea Basins: Experimenting with Collaborative Planning and Governance

Abstract

This article employs a multi-disciplinary planning and political science perspective to examine transboundary marine spatial planning (TMSP) in European sea basins through a collaborative governance and planning framework. The article argues that TMSP is a breeding ground for collaborative planning and governance in the Baltic Sea, North Sea and Adriatic Sea Regions. Collaborative governance and planning models can be developed into an effective framework for MSP policymakers, practitioners and researchers to structure and evaluate TMSP practices. The approach can potentially contribute towards overcoming TMSP challenges and to increasing cohesion and alignment of national marine spatial plans within European sea basins.